Experimental investigation on the open cathode air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Optimum operating parameters and control strategies

Operating parameters and control strategies are crucial for the performance of open cathode air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In present study, effects of hydrogen pressure, anode purging ratio and stack temperature on an open cathode air-cooled PEMFC with 40 single cells are experimentally explored. Comprehensive evaluations of operating parameters and control strategies are adopted from multiple aspects including output performance, stability, hydrogen consumption, and system efficiency. The results show that an anode pressure of 60–70 kPa and a 4% purging ratio can achieve not exceeding 5% ripple coefficient and not less than 35% system efficiency, and the optimum stack temperature is proved to be 54–60 °C. Adaptive purging strategies and temperature control strategies that vary with current are summarized which can be used for programming applications. Finally, these control strategies are executed under simulated loads to observe stack's dynamic response and confirmed to maintain stable operation of the stack.