2D modeling of a defective PEMFC

A dysfunctioning of the heart of the fuel cell might affect the whole system, and thus the demand of electric power. To be able to estimate the damage of the fuel cell, the default has to be detected precisely. As it is well known, the physico-chemical processes involved in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) are strongly coupled, as such that putting apart a phenomenon by experimental measurement can be quite difficult. To this end, simulations of an online or offline diagnosis, for instance by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method are interesting. It can help also to analyze what happens locally in the heart of cell. The main aim of the presented work is to highlight the interest of using PEMFC dynamic model as a diagnosis tool. To illustrate this potential, EIS method has been implemented in 2D dynamic single cell in both simulated cases of defective and healthy cells. ► A dysfunctioning of the heart of the fuel cell might affect the whole system. ► Due to the coupled physical phenomena, detecting precisely defaults are complicate. ► This work highlights the interest of using PEMFC dynamic model as a diagnosis tool. ► To illustrate this potential, EIS method is applied on 2D single cell model. ► Simulation results of healthy and defective cells are then presented and analyzed.