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Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Stack Modelling in VHDL-AMS Language with Temporal and EIS Experimental Validations



Author(s)

El-Hassane Aglzim¹, Amar Rouane², Daniela Chrenko¹, Djilali Kourtiche² and Mustapha Nadi²

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DOI:10.17265/1934-8975/2014.02.018

1. Drive Laboratory, University of Burgundy, Nevers 58000, France
2. Jean Lamour institut, University of Lorraine, CNRS, Vandoeuvre les Nancy 54506, France

This paper deals with two basic issues of fuel cell research: modelling and experimental validation. In particular, the EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) technique is applied to a PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell). Experiments have been performed using a low-cost test bench and instrumentation developed around a 1,200 W Ballard Nexa fuel cell system. An electrical and dynamic model in VHDL-AMS language for PEM fuel cell stack is described. The privileged approach in this paper is an electrical method. Few papers deal with the modelling of a fuel cell in VHDL-AMS language with an electric approach. The fuel cell is characterised cell wise in VHDL-AMS; AC and DC measurements show the good agreement between the simulation results of the model and those measured in experiments. The model is capable to predict accurate stack profiles. The model is validated using temporal and impedance spectroscopy method; the impedance spectroscopy is performed at low and high frequencies. The experimental and simulated Nyquist plots show that the frequency response of the fuel cell stack can be predicted by the proposed fuel cell stack model. At high frequencies, comparisons between experimental and model impedance results are performed and show some similarities between the two Nyquist. Error between the two approaches is below 1.5%.

PEM fuel cell, VHDL-AMS language, EIS method, modeling.