PEMFC Cold Start Model Simulation in Low Temperature Environment

The development of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) is driven by the urgent need for efficient and clean energy sources. As global environmental awareness increases and reliance on fossil fuels decreases, PEMFC has garnered significant attention for its ability to convert hydrogen and oxygen directly into electricity and water, with high efficiency, zero emissions, and rapid startup capabilities. These characteristics make PEMFCs ideal for applications in new energy vehicles and distributed energy systems. However, challenges such as reduced electrolyte membrane conductivity, difficulties in hydrogen storage and delivery, slow oxygen evolution reaction, and freezing issues hinder PEMFC performance in lowtemperature environments. To address these challenges, this study utilizes Comsol simulation software to develop a PEMFC model, exploring the effects of varying thin Gas Diffusion Electrode (GDE) thickness, specific surface area, and thermal conductivity on cold start performance. The research involves analyzing the design and validation of the cold start model, establishing a modular simulation framework that incorporates temperature rise, cell potential, current density, and output voltage models. This allows for a detailed examination of temperature and current density variations during the cold start process, as well as the analysis of operating conditions under various scenarios. Ultimately, the study identifies optimal parameter settings that enhance cold start performance, contributing to the design of an improved selfstarting system for PEMFCs.