| Title |
Modeling and Load-Following Performance Analysis of a Closed Cathode PEMFC System Considering Submarine Operating Environments |
| Authors |
김지열(Gi-Yeol Kim) ; 김성열(Sung-Yul Kim) ; 임채옥(Chae-Og Lim) ; 한종부(Jong-Boo Han) ; 이여진(Yeo-Jin Lee) ; 손은태(Eun-Tae Son) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5370/KIEE.2026.75.8.1986 |
| Keywords |
Air-Independent Propulsion; Balance of Plant; Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell; Thermal-Humidity |
| Abstract |
This study presents a model of a closed cathode Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) system for submarine Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) applications. The proposed model separately represents the PEMFC stack and Balance of Plant (BOP) components, including fuel and oxygen supply, humidification, exhaust, recirculation, and cooling systems, each implemented as independent modules. This modular structure enables quantitative analysis of BOP component power consumption and stack performance interaction, and allows individual modules to be updated without reconstructing the entire system model. The model was implemented in a Python-based simulation environment and validated against manufacturer test data for a 300 W class PEMFC stack and a MATLAB/Simulink-based model using the MathWorks Simscape library, showing voltage and power errors of approximately 8 % and 5 % compared with the manufacturer data. The MATLAB/Simulink-based model showed voltage and power errors of approximately 10 % and 6 % compared with the same manufacturer data. The model also demonstrated stable load-following performance under rapid load variation conditions. Based on the model with confirmed fidelity, temperature and relative humidity effects on system efficiency were analyzed. Stack efficiency was highest at 35 ~ 45 ℃ and 70 ~ 80 % relative humidity, while system efficiency showed significant degradation under low-temperature and low-humidity conditions due to increased BOP load. The ratio ranged from 8.96 % to 9.59 %, confirming that BOP power consumption has a non-negligible impact on overall system efficiency. The proposed model can be utilized as a foundational tool for operational analysis, component improvement, and future energy management studies of submarine PEMFC systems. |