An analysis of the dynamic performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells using an electrochemical model

This paper presents a dynamic electrochemical model for representation, simulation and evaluation of the performance of small size generation systems using PEM fuel cells. The results of the model are used to predict the output voltage, efficiency and power of the fuel cell as a function of the actual load current and of the constructive and operational parameters of the cells. Partial and total load insertion and rejection tests were accomplished to evaluate the dynamic response of the studied models. The results guarantee a better analytical performance of these models with the consequent reduction of time and costs of projects using fuel cells as a primary source of energy