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Advanced Model Library for Fuel Cells (AML:FC)

Comprehensive fuel cell component and system design

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Many of the world's leading fuel cell developers use gPROMS

The gPROMS Advanced Model Library for Fuel Cells (AML:FC) is a library of high-fidelity dynamic models that bring unprecedented speed, robustness and accuracy to fuel cell component and system design.

There are two version of the AML:FC: AML:FC for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) and AML:FC for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). Both include fuel processing and other ancillary elements.

Typical applications

The high-fidelity models in the AML:FC provide accurate quantitative information for decision support and risk management at all levels of fuel cell component and system development.

We save $250K every time we avoid the need to build a test rig.

Major US fuel cell developer

They can be used for single cell analysis, stack design, system design and design and integration of fuel processing systems.

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At the same time they provide a framework for understanding and analysing the large quantity of data that can result from experimental programmes.

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typical applications of the AML:FC to cell component and system design ...

Typical fuel cell modelling applications

 

Typical applications include:

  • estimation of key system parameters from single-cell experiments, and related model-based data analysis for risk assessment
  • deactivation analysis and management
  • determining optimal PEM water management strategy
  • detailed mechanical design of cell stacks
  • integration of fuel preparation systems, including heat integration and start-up dynamics
  • control system design.

There are many more typical applications. Once a high-fidelity model of cell, stack or system is available it can be used to investigate and optimise virtually any aspect of design and operation, with physical testing used only to verify final results.

Workflow and methodology

PSE's design and simulation procedure enables AML:FC model developers to explore a larger design space while simultaneously reducing the need to construct test rigs and making experimentation more effective.

The result is significant savings on development time and cost and speeding up of time-to-market.

Technology

The AML:FC has many advantages over other model-based approaches on the market.

Cell and stack models are constructed from a set of component models that take into account all key phenomena and their interactions.

These can be used to create virtually any cell or stack configuration. Modellers can select from 1-D, 2-D or 3-D representations, different flow channel architectures, co- or counter-current flow arrangements, and construct multi-cell stacks.

Models incorporate state-of-the-art first-principles representations of anode, cathode and electrolyte that take into account heat and mass transfer, chemistry and electrochemistry to an unprecedented level of detail.

AML:FC models are inherently dynamic, so it is possible to analyse transient behaviour during start-up and load change. gPROMS's advanced optimisation facilities mean that key variables can be optimised directly rather than via trial-and-error simulation.

The AML:FC is compatible with the gPROMS ModelBuilder and Process Modelling Library (PML) which provides unlimited flexibility for model development, flowsheeting and control.