Power flow investigations of a PEM fuel cell system

The efficient operation of fuel cells in the lower power range requires an adaptation of the individual auxiliary components like pumps, compressors and converters. Within the scope of this paper, the models of the single components and of the fuel cell are derived from real behavior and are combined in an efficiency calculation. Testing state measurements of pumps, compressors and a 500 W-PEM fuel cell form the basis of the calculations. The investigations based on measurements and simulation show that an adapted arrangement of the components, depending on the power range, makes possible an improvement in the total energy balance and the electrical efficiency.