Steady-state Simulation Analysis of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell for UAV

Abstract The working principle and advantages of proton exchange membrane fuel cell using renewable energy hydrogen as fuel are introduced, the importance of fuel cell thermal management is emphasized, and the performance influencing factors, heat source and design requirements of proton exchange membrane fuel cell are summarized. According to the current research status of fuel cell related thermal management, the methods of simulation analysis of fuel cell with the help of mathematical model are summarized, and the existing problems and solutions of fuel cell heat dissipation and cold start are summarized.

In this paper we analyze the steady state dynamic behavior of a nonlinear model of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell. This model is used in several theoretical studies and application papers of PEM fuel cells. We indicate limitations and discuss potential constraints of this mathematical model. We establish conditions for the asymptotic stability at steady state by using the first stability method of Lyapunov. We find that the linearized model at steady state is uncontrollable. Specifically, the state variable corresponding to the hydrogen pressure is not controllable. This means that dynamics deviations of the state space variable corresponding to the hydrogen pressure around the steady state equilibrium point cannot be controlled. Due to its stability, the hydrogen pressure we go to the equilibrium point according to its internal (uncontrolled) dynamics so that the model is still applicable for theoretical and practical studies.