OPEM (Open Source PEM Fuel Cell Simulation Tool)

Table of contents

• What is PEM?
• Overview
• Installation
• Usage
  • Executable
  • Library
  • Telegram Bot
  • Try OPEM in Your Browser!
  • MATLAB
• Issues & Bug Reports
• Contribution
• Todo
• Outputs
• Dependencies
• Thanks
• Reference
• Cite
• Authors
• License
• Donate
• Changelog
• Code of Conduct

Overview

Modeling and simulation of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) may work as a powerful tool in the research & development of renewable energy sources. The Open-Source PEMFC Simulation Tool (OPEM) is a modeling tool for evaluating the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. This package is a combination of models (static/dynamic) that predict the optimum operating parameters of PEMFC. OPEM contained generic models that will accept as input, not only values of the operating variables such as anode and cathode feed gas, pressure and compositions, cell temperature and current density, but also cell parameters including the active area and membrane thickness. In addition, some of the different models of PEMFC that have been proposed in the OPEM, just focus on one particular FC stack, and some others take into account a part or all auxiliaries such as reformers. OPEM is a platform for collaborative development of PEMFC models.

Fig1. OPEM Block Diagram

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Code Quality

Usage

Executable

• Open CMD (Windows) or Terminal (UNIX)

• Run python -m opem or python3 -m opem (or run OPEM.exe)

• Enter PEM cell parameters (or run standard test vectors)

  1. Amphlett Static Model

     Input	Description	Unit
     T	Cell operation temperature	K
     PH2	Partial pressure	atm
     PO2	Partial pressure	atm
     i-start	Cell operating current start point	A
     i-step	Cell operating current step	A
     i-stop	Cell operating current end point	A
     A	Active area	cm^2
     l	Membrane thickness	cm
     lambda	An adjustable parameter with a min value of 14 and max value of 23	--
     R(*Optional)	R-Electronic	ohm
     JMax	Maximum current density	A/(cm^2)
     N	Number of single cells	--

     * For more information about this model visit here

  2. Larminie-Dicks Static Model

     Input	Description	Unit
     E0	Fuel cell reversible no loss voltage	V
     A	The slope of the Tafel line	V
     T	Cell operation temperature	K
     i-start	Cell operating current start point	A
     i-step	Cell operating current step	A
     i-stop	Cell operating current end point	A
     i_n	Internal current	A
     i_0	Exchange current at which the overvoltage begins to move from zero	A
     i_L	Limiting current	A
     RM	The membrane and contact resistances	ohm
     N	Number of single cells	--

     * For more information about this model visit here

  3. Chamberline-Kim Static Model

     Input	Description	Unit
     E0	Open circuit voltage	V
     b	Tafel's parameter for the oxygen reduction	V
     R	Resistance	ohm.cm^2
     i-start	Cell operating current start point	A
     i-step	Cell operating current step	A
     i-stop	Cell operating current end point	A
     A	Active area	cm^2
     m	Diffusion's parameters	V
     n	Diffusion's parameters	(A^-1)(cm^2)
     N	Number of single cells	--

     * For more information about this model visit here

  4. Padulles Dynamic Model I

     Input	Description	Unit
     E0	No load voltage	V
     T	Fuel cell temperature	K
     KH2	Hydrogen valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     KO2	Oxygen valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     tH2	Hydrogen time constant	s
     tO2	Oxygen time constant	s
     B	Activation voltage constant	V
     C	Activation constant parameter	A^(-1)
     Rint	Fuel cell internal resistance	ohm
     rho	Hydrogen-Oxygen flow ratio	--
     qH2	Molar flow of hydrogen	kmol/s
     N0	Number of cells	--
     i-start	Cell operating current start point	A
     i-step	Cell operating current step	A
     i-stop	Cell operating current end point	A

     * For more information about this model visit here

  5. Padulles Dynamic Model II

     Input	Description	Unit
     E0	No load voltage	V
     T	Fuel cell temperature	K
     KH2	Hydrogen valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     KH2O	Water valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     KO2	Oxygen valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     tH2	Hydrogen time constant	s
     tH2O	Water time constant	s
     tO2	Oxygen time constant	s
     B	Activation voltage constant	V
     C	Activation constant parameter	A^(-1)
     Rint	Fuel cell internal resistance	ohm
     rho	Hydrogen-Oxygen flow ratio	--
     qH2	Molar flow of hydrogen	kmol/s
     N0	Number of cells	--
     i-start	Cell operating current start point	A
     i-step	Cell operating current step	A
     i-stop	Cell operating current end point	A

     * For more information about this model visit here

  6. Padulles-Hauer Dynamic Model

     Input	Description	Unit
     E0	No load voltage	V
     T	Fuel cell temperature	K
     KH2	Hydrogen valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     KH2O	Water valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     KO2	Oxygen valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     tH2	Hydrogen time constant	s
     tH2O	Water time constant	s
     tO2	Oxygen time constant	s
     t1	Reformer time constant	s
     t2	Reformer time constant	s
     B	Activation voltage constant	V
     C	Activation constant parameter	A^(-1)
     CV	Conversion factor	--
     Rint	Fuel cell internal resistance	ohm
     rho	Hydrogen-Oxygen flow ratio	--
     qMethanol	Molar flow of methanol	kmol/s
     N0	Number of cells	--
     i-start	Cell operating current start point	A
     i-step	Cell operating current step	A
     i-stop	Cell operating current end point	A

     * For more information about this model visit here

  7. Padulles-Amphlett Dynamic Model

     Input	Description	Unit
     E0	No load voltage	V
     T	Fuel cell temperature	K
     KH2	Hydrogen valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     KH2O	Water valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     KO2	Oxygen valve constant	kmol.s^(-1).atm^(-1)
     tH2	Hydrogen time constant	s
     tH2O	Water time constant	s
     tO2	Oxygen time constant	s
     t1	Reformer time constant	s
     t2	Reformer time constant	s
     A	Active area	cm^2
     l	Membrane thickness	cm
     lambda	An adjustable parameter with a min value of 14 and max value of 23	--
     R(*Optional)	R-Electronic	ohm
     B	An empirical constant depending on the cell and its operation state (Tafel slope)	V
     JMax	Maximum current density	A/(cm^2)
     CV	Conversion factor	--
     rho	Hydrogen-Oxygen flow ratio	--
     qMethanol	Molar flow of methanol	kmol/s
     N0	Number of cells	--
     i-start	Cell operating current start point	A
     i-step	Cell operating current step	A
     i-stop	Cell operating current end point	A

     * For more information about this model visit here
  • Find your reports in Model_Name folder

  Screen Record

  

  Screen Record

Library

1. Amphlett Static Model

   >>> from opem.Static.Amphlett import Static_Analysis
   >>> Test_Vector={"T": 343.15,"PH2": 1,"PO2": 1,"i-start": 0,"i-stop": 75,"i-step": 0.1,"A": 50.6,"l": 0.0178,"lambda": 23,"N": 1,"R": 0,"JMax": 1.5,"Name": "Amphlett_Test"}
   >>> data=Static_Analysis(InputMethod=Test_Vector,TestMode=True,PrintMode=False,ReportMode=False)

   Key	Description	Type
   Status	Simulation status	Bool
   P	Power	List
   I	Cell operating current	List
   V	FC voltage	List
   EFF	Efficiency	List
   Ph	Thermal power	List
   V0	Linear-Apx intercept	Float
   K	Linear-Apx slope	Float
   Eta_Active	Eta activation	List
   Eta_Conc	Eta concentration	List
   Eta_Ohmic	Eta ohmic	List
   VE	Estimated FC voltage	List

   • For more information about this model visit here

2. Larminie-Dicks Static Model

   >>> from opem.Static.Larminie_Dicks import Static_Analysis
   >>> Test_Vector = {"A": 0.06,"E0": 1.178,"T": 328.15,"RM": 0.0018,"i_0": 0.00654,"i_L": 100.0,"i_n": 0.23,"N": 23,"i-start": 0.1,"i-stop": 98,"i-step": 0.1,"Name": "Larminiee_Test"}
   >>> data=Static_Analysis(InputMethod=Test_Vector,TestMode=True,PrintMode=False,ReportMode=False)

   Key	Description	Type
   Status	Simulation status	Bool
   P	Power	List
   I	Cell operating current	List
   V	FC voltage	List
   EFF	Efficiency	List
   Ph	Thermal power	List
   V0	Linear-Apx intercept	Float
   K	Linear-Apx slope	Float
   VE	Estimated FC voltage	List

   • For more information about this model visit here

3. Chamberline-Kim Static Model

   >>> from opem.Static.Chamberline_Kim import Static_Analysis
   >>> Test_Vector = {"A": 50.0,"E0": 0.982,"b": 0.0689,"R": 0.328,"m": 0.000125,"n": 9.45,"N": 1,"i-start": 1,"i-stop": 42.5,"i-step": 0.1,"Name": "Chamberline_Test"}
   >>> data=Static_Analysis(InputMethod=Test_Vector,TestMode=True,PrintMode=False,ReportMode=False)

   Key	Description	Type
   Status	Simulation status	Bool
   P	Power	List
   I	Cell operating current	List
   V	FC voltage	List
   EFF	Efficiency	List
   Ph	Thermal power	List
   V0	Linear-Apx intercept	Float
   K	Linear-Apx slope	Float
   VE	Estimated FC voltage	List

   • For more information about this model visit here

4. Padulles Dynamic Model I

   >>> from opem.Dynamic.Padulles1 import Dynamic_Analysis
   >>> Test_Vector = {"T": 343,"E0": 0.6,"N0": 88,"KO2": 0.0000211,"KH2": 0.0000422,"tH2": 3.37,"tO2": 6.74,"B": 0.04777,"C": 0.0136,"Rint": 0.00303,"rho": 1.168,"qH2": 0.0004,"i-start": 0,"i-stop": 100,"i-step": 0.1,"Name": "PadullesI_Test"}
   >>> data=Dynamic_Analysis(InputMethod=Test_Vector,TestMode=True,PrintMode=False,ReportMode=False)

   Key	Description	Type
   Status	Simulation status	Bool
   P	Power	List
   I	Cell operating current	List
   V	FC voltage	List
   EFF	Efficiency	List
   PO2	Partial pressure	List
   PH2	Partial pressure	List
   Ph	Thermal power	List
   V0	Linear-Apx intercept	Float
   K	Linear-Apx slope	Float
   VE	Estimated FC voltage	List

   • For more information about this model visit here

5. Padulles Dynamic Model II

   >>> from opem.Dynamic.Padulles2 import Dynamic_Analysis
   >>> Test_Vector = {"T": 343,"E0": 0.6,"N0": 5,"KO2": 0.0000211,"KH2": 0.0000422,"KH2O": 0.000007716,"tH2": 3.37,"tO2": 6.74,"tH2O": 18.418,"B": 0.04777,"C": 0.0136,"Rint": 0.00303,"rho": 1.168,"qH2": 0.0004,"i-start": 0.1,"i-stop": 100,"i-step": 0.1,"Name": "Padulles2_Test"}
   >>> data=Dynamic_Analysis(InputMethod=Test_Vector,TestMode=True,PrintMode=False,ReportMode=False)

   Key	Description	Type
   Status	Simulation status	Bool
   P	Power	List
   I	Cell operating current	List
   V	FC voltage	List
   EFF	Efficiency	List
   PO2	Partial pressure	List
   PH2	Partial pressure	List
   PH2O	Partial pressure	List
   Ph	Thermal power	List
   V0	Linear-Apx intercept	Float
   K	Linear-Apx slope	Float
   VE	Estimated FC voltage	List

   • For more information about this model visit here

6. Padulles-Hauer Dynamic Model

   >>> from opem.Dynamic.Padulles_Hauer import Dynamic_Analysis
   >>> Test_Vector = {"T": 343,"E0": 0.6,"N0": 5,"KO2": 0.0000211,"KH2": 0.0000422,"KH2O": 0.000007716,"tH2": 3.37,"tO2": 6.74,"t1": 2,"t2": 2,"tH2O": 18.418,"B": 0.04777,"C": 0.0136,"Rint": 0.00303,"rho": 1.168,"qMethanol": 0.0002,"CV": 2,"i-start": 0.1,"i-stop": 100,"i-step": 0.1,"Name": "Padulles_Hauer_Test"}
   >>> data=Dynamic_Analysis(InputMethod=Test_Vector,TestMode=True,PrintMode=False,ReportMode=False)

   Key	Description	Type
   Status	Simulation status	Bool
   P	Power	List
   I	Cell operating current	List
   V	FC voltage	List
   EFF	Efficiency	List
   PO2	Partial pressure	List
   PH2	Partial pressure	List
   PH2O	Partial pressure	List
   Ph	Thermal power	List
   V0	Linear-Apx intercept	Float
   K	Linear-Apx slope	Float
   VE	Estimated FC voltage	List

   • For more information about this model visit here

7. Padulles-Amphlett Dynamic Model

   >>> from opem.Dynamic.Padulles_Amphlett import Dynamic_Analysis
   >>> Test_Vector = {"A": 50.6,"l": 0.0178,"lambda": 23,"JMax": 1.5,"T": 343,"N0": 5,"KO2": 0.0000211,"KH2": 0.0000422,"KH2O": 0.000007716,"tH2": 3.37,"tO2": 6.74,"t1": 2,"t2": 2,"tH2O": 18.418,"B": 0.016,"rho": 1.168,"qMethanol": 0.0002,"CV": 2,"i-start": 0.1,"i-stop": 75,"i-step": 0.1,"Name": "Padulles_Amphlett_Test"}
   >>> data=Dynamic_Analysis(InputMethod=Test_Vector,TestMode=True,PrintMode=False,ReportMode=False)

   Key	Description	Type
   Status	Simulation status	Bool
   P	Power	List
   I	Cell operating current	List
   V	FC voltage	List
   EFF	Efficiency	List
   PO2	Partial pressure	List
   PH2	Partial pressure	List
   PH2O	Partial pressure	List
   Ph	Thermal power	List
   V0	Linear-Apx intercept	Float
   K	Linear-Apx slope	Float
   Eta_Active	Eta activation	List
   Eta_Conc	Eta concentration	List
   Eta_Ohmic	Eta ohmic	List
   VE	Estimated FC voltage	List

   • For more information about this model visit here

   Modes

   1. TestMode : Active test mode and get/return data as dict, (Default : False)
   2. ReportMode : Generate reports(.csv,.opem,.html) and print result in console, (Default : True)
   3. PrintMode : Control printing in console, (Default : True)

   Note

   • Return type : dict

Telegram Bot

• Send /start command to OPEM BOT
• Choose models from menu
• Send your test vector according to the template
• Download your results

Try OPEM in Your Browser!

OPEM can be used online in interactive Jupyter Notebooks via the Binder service! Try it out now! :

• Check .ipynb files in Documents folder
• Edit and execute each part of the notes, step by step from the top panel by run button
• For executing a complete simulation, you can edit Test_Vector in Full Run section

Issues & Bug Reports

Just fill an issue and describe it. We'll check it ASAP! or send an email to [email protected].

Gitter is another option :

Todo

• Static Analysis
  • Amphlett Static Model
    • Nernst Voltage
    • PEMFC losses model
    • Power of PEMFC
    • Efficiency of PEMFC
  • Larminie-Dicks Static Model
    • PEMFC losses model
    • Power of PEMFC
    • Efficiency of PEMFC
  • Chamberline-Kim Static Model
    • PEMFC losses model
    • Power of PEMFC
    • Efficiency of PEMFC
• Flat Output
  • Simulation Result
  • CSV File
  • HTML
• GUI
  • Plot Graphs
  • Input/Output
• Dynamic Analysis
  • Padulles Dynamic Model I
    • Nernst Voltage
    • Voltage of PEMFC
    • Power of PEMFC
    • Efficiency of PEMFC
  • Padulles Dynamic Model II
    • Nernst Voltage
    • Voltage of PEMFC
    • Power of PEMFC
    • Efficiency of PEMFC
  • Padulles-Hauer Dynamic Model
    • Nernst Voltage
    • Voltage of PEMFC
    • Power of PEMFC
    • Efficiency of PEMFC
  • Padulles-Amphlett Dynamic Model
    • Nernst Voltage
    • Voltage of PEMFC
    • Power of PEMFC
    • Efficiency of PEMFC
• MATLAB

Outputs

1. HTML
2. CSV
3. OPEM

Dependencies

master	develop

Thanks

• Chart.js
• PyInstaller
• Draw.io

Reference

1- J. C. Amphlett, R. M. Baumert, R. F. Mann, B. A. Peppley, and P. R. Roberge. 1995. "Performance Modeling of the Ballard Mark IV Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell." J. Electrochem. Soc. (The Electrochemical Society, Inc.) 142 (1): 9-15. doi: 10.1149/1.2043959.

2- Jeferson M. Correa, Felix A. Farret, Vladimir A. Popov, Marcelo G. Simoes. 2005. "Sensitivity Analysis of the Modeling Parameters Used in Simulation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells." IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion (IEEE) 20 (1): 211-218. doi:10.1109/TEC.2004.842382.

3- Junbom Kim, Seong-Min Lee, Supramaniam Srinivasan, Charles E. Chamberlin. 1995. "Modeling of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Performance with an Empirical Equation." Journal of The Electrochemical Society (The Electrochemical Society) 142 (8): 2670-2674. doi:10.1149/1.2050072.

4- I. Sadli, P. Thounthong, J.-P. Martin, S. Rael, B. Davat. 2006. "Behaviour of a PEMFC supplying a low voltage static converter." Journal of Power Sources (Elsevier) 156: 119–125. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.08.021.

5- J. Padulles, G.W. Ault, J.R. McDonald. 2000. "An integrated SOFC plant dynamic model for power systems simulation." Journal of Power Sources (Elsevier) 86 (1-2): 495-500. doi:10.1016/S0378-7753(99)00430-9.

6- Hauer, K.-H. 2001. "Analysis tool for fuel cell vehicle hardware and software (controls) with an application to fuel economy comparisons of alternative system designs." Ph.D. dissertation, Transportation Technology and Policy, University of California Davis.

7- A. Saadi, M. Becherif, A. Aboubou, M.Y. Ayad. 2013. "Comparison of proton exchange membrane fuel cell static models." Renewable Energy (Elsevier) 56: 64-71. doi:dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2012.10.012.

8- Diego Feroldi, Marta Basualdo. 2012. "Description of PEM Fuel Cells System." Green Energy and Technology (Springer) 49-72. doi:10.1007/978-1-84996-184-4_2

9- Gottesfeld, Shimshon. n.d. The Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell: Materials Issues in a Hydrogen Fueled Power Source. http://physics.oregonstate.edu/~hetheriw/energy/topics/doc/electrochemistry/fc/basic/The_Polymer_Electrolyte_Fuel_Cell.htm

10- Mohamed Becherif, Aïcha Saadi, Daniel Hissel, Abdennacer Aboubou, Mohamed Yacine Ayad. 2011. "Static and dynamic proton exchange membrane fuel cell models." Journal of Hydrocarbons Mines and Environmental Research 2 (1)

11- Larminie, J., Dicks, A., & McDonald, M. S. 2003. Fuel cell systems explained (Vol. 2, pp. 207-225). Chichester, UK: J. Wiley. doi: 10.1002/9781118706992.

12- Rho, Y. W., Srinivasan, S., & Kho, Y. T. 1994. ''Mass transport phenomena in proton exchange membrane fuel cells using o 2/he, o 2/ar, and o 2/n 2 mixtures ii. Theoretical analysis.'' Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 141(8), 2089-2096. doi: 10.1149/1.2055066.

Cite

If you use OPEM in your research , please cite this paper :

@article{Haghighi2018,
  doi = {10.21105/joss.00676},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.21105/joss.00676},
  year  = {2018},
  month = {jul},
  publisher = {The Open Journal},
  volume = {3},
  number = {27},
  pages = {676},
  author = {Sepand Haghighi and Kasra Askari and Sarmin Hamidi and Mohammad Mahdi Rahimi},
  title = {{OPEM} : Open Source {PEM} Cell Simulation Tool},
  journal = {Journal of Open Source Software}
}

Download OPEM.bib(BibTeX Format)

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