Influence of the modeling parameters on the simulation accuracy of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

This work deals with the influence of selected modeling parameters for the simulation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) used in small generation systems. It is quantitatively shown how the correct selection of every group of parameters in the mathematical model can be essential for the best simulation results. The main motivation for this work is that physical simulation of fuel cells (FC) can work as a powerful tool in the development, in the widespread testing and also in the cost reduction and improvement of such alternative sources of energy. In FC simulations, both static and dynamic results are strongly affected by the incorrect choice of the modeling parameter values, especially because of the highly nonlinear behavior of the FC. The main contribution of this paper is related to the quantitative analysis of how the parameter uncertainties may affect the response and accuracy of the FC simulation results and also it contributes to the definition of what parameters more strongly affect these results. Simulation results are compared with real data of a BCS 500 W PEM stack.