Optimization of a Fuel Cell

Authors

Eduardo Gines, University of South Florida

Publication Year

2017

Abstract

Fuel cells are devices that generate energy from a chemical reaction that takes place inside the cell. The main parts of these devices are two electrodes and an electrolyte solution. The project consists of determining the area of the electrodes for the fuel cell at which the cell produces its maximum amount of power. This was done with the performance curve of the fuel cell which was in terms of voltage vs current density. The performance curve was turned into terms of power density vs current density, and through this curve the maximum power was determined by identifying the maximum point. The maximum point was determined using the second derivative method. Once the power was obtained, the area of the electrodes could be determined. The performance curves of the voltage and power density of a load with resistance of 5 Ω was plotted with the respective performance curves of the fuel cell in order to determine if the load works with the fuel cell. The project concludes with fuel cell’s electrodes having an area of 4.218 cm² which generates a maximum power of 0.058W and the load working perfectly at the cell’s maximum power.

Recommended Citation

Gines, Eduardo (2017) "Optimization of a Fuel Cell," Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two: Vol. 8: Iss. 1, Article 3.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5038/2326-3652.8.1.4884
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ujmm/vol8/iss1/3

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