Simulation of pem fuel cell activation losses with different electrolyte material based on tafel equation

Abstract

This paper focuses on the charge transfer in fuel cell which is the electrons that created or consumed are depending on the quickness of the electrochemical reaction that proceed based on the suitable parameter. In Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, the hydrogen oxidation are very high than the oxygen reduction. In this paper, the main purpose is to identify the relationships between the constant current density and constant temperature. To stimulate the activation polarization in fuel cell using software MATLAB or Simulink coding are presented and discussed in order to prove the increasing of temperature lead to the decreasing of the activation polarization. The temperature of operation is a key parameter in determining the performance and durability of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Controlling temperature and choosing the electrolyte material will response for effective operation and design of better systems. The sensitivity to temperature means that the uncertainty in this parameter leads to variable response and can identify the factors affecting the performance. It is important to be able to determine the impact of temperature uncertainty and quantify how much PEMFC operation is influenced under different operating conditions utilising the value of exchange current density. Results show that temperature variation has the greatest effect at higher currents and lower nominal operating temperatures.