Experimental testing and validation of the mathematical model for a self-humidifying PEM fuel cell

This paper presents an experimental testing and validation results for a zero-dimensional self-humidifying PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell stack. The model incorporates major electric and thermodynamic variables and parameters involved in the operation of the PEM fuel cell under different operational conditions. The mathematical equations are modelled by using Matlab-Simulink tools in order to simulate the operation of the developed model with a commercially available 1 kW Horizon (H-1000) PEM fuel cell stack, which is used for the purposes of model validation and tuning of the developed model. The model is mathematically modelled and presented in the recent published work of authors. The observations from model simulations provide sufficient evidence and support to the results and observations obtained from testing 1 kW Horizon (H-1000) PEM fuel cell stack used in this research. The developed model can be used as a generic model and simulation platform for a self-humidifying PEM fuel cell with an output power varying from 50 W to 1 kW, with extrapolation to higher powers is also possible.