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Modeling of proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance degradation and operation life

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is the most commonly used type of hydrogen fuel cell and a promising solution for vehicular and stationary power applications. This research starts with an extensive review of the PEMFC research, including experimental testing, and performance modeling, and performance degradation modeling using relatively accurate and easy-to-use mechanistic models. Next, a new PEMFC performance degradation model is introduced by amending the semi-empirical, mechanistic performance model to support the design and control of PEMFC systems and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
The new model takes into account critical factors impacting PEMFC performance. The performance degradation due to the oxidation of catalyst platinum (Pt) and loss of active surface area is captured by fitting the degradation model parameters using experimental data to capture the observed PEMFC performance fading. The new performance degradation model is then tested and further improved under the four typical load modes that a PEMFC system experiences in a vehicular application under regular driving cycles. The model is also fitted with PEMFC experimental degradation data under different load modes to improve modeling accuracy.
The new model is applied and tested using simulations of a representative FCEV. The actual power load on an 80 kW PEMFC system in the modeled FCEV was obtained using the Advanced Vehicle Simulator (ADVISOR) under the US EPA Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS). With the ability to predict the operation life of the PEMFC, the appropriate sizes of the PEMFC system and the energy storage system (ESS) can be determined. Improved power control and energy management can be developed to extend the operation life of the PEMFC and lower the lifecycle cost of the FCEV. / Graduate

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:uvic.ca/oai:dspace.library.uvic.ca:1828/13377
Date10 September 2021
CreatorsAhmadi Sarbast, Vahid
ContributorsDong, Zuomin, Rowe, Andrew Michae
Source SetsUniversity of Victoria
LanguageEnglish, English
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Formatapplication/pdf
RightsAvailable to the World Wide Web

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