Modelling and experimental validation of a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell

A steady-state, isothermal, one dimensional model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), with a polybenzimidazole (PBI) membrane, was developed. The electrode kinetics were represented by the Butler-Volmer equation, mass transport was described by the multi-component Stefan-Maxwell equations and Darcy's law and the ionic and electronic resistances described by Ohm's law. The model incorporated the effects of temperature and pressure on the open circuit potential, the exchange current density and diffusion coefficients, together with the effect of water transport across the membrane on the conductivity of the PBI membrane. The polarisation curves predicted by the model were validated against experimental data for a PEMFC operating in the temperature range of 125-200 degrees C. There was good agreement between experimental and model data of the effect of temperature and oxygen/air pressure on cell performance. The model was used to simulate the effect of catalyst loading and the Pt/carbon ratio on cell performance and, in the latter case, a 40 wt.% Pt/C ratio gave the highest peak power density.