Modelling of Thermal and Water Management in Automotive Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Systems

Abstract

Proton electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are promising power sources for automotive applications because of their high power density, low operation temperature (between 60℃ - 80℃), and lower environmental pollution. A proper water and thermal management are needed to keep the membrane humidified for high proton conductivity, durability for PEMFC materials, and to ensure the operation temperature of fuel cell stack remains under a tolerable limit.A general calculation methodology has been developed to provide information regarding the system power output, amount of water and heat products, and system efficiency, thereby assisting to achieve the best water and thermal management conditions.