Non linear ciruit model of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

A nonlinear circuit model of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack is presented. The model considers the time dimension, allowing the simulation of both steady-state and dynamic behaviour of the stack. The circuit parameters can be obtained by means of simple experimental tests and calculations. The PEM stack is modeled as seen from the power conditioning system side, without requiring parameters necessary for complex mathematical models and not easily obtainable by the majority of users. A procedure of parameter determination is developed and a comparison between the simulated and experimental results for both steady-state and dynamic behaviour of the PEM stack is shown.