Advanced Model Library

AML:FC —Fuel Cells

Typical fuel cell modelling applications

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

— major US fuel cell developer

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

The gPROMS Advanced Model Library for Fuel Cells (AML:FC) is a library of high-fidelity modelling components for fuel cell component and system design.

In addition to providing state-of-the-art component models, it can be used in conjunction with the standard gPROMS Process Model Library (PML) models to construct system flowsheets.

The AML:FC comes in two flavours: AML:FC for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) and AML:FC for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), and can include fuel cell fuel processing elements. Pricing depends on the elements included.

An optional gPROMS Object for CFD (gO:CFD) for Fuel Cells provides the ability to link membrane / electrode models with Fluent® CFD model of the air and fuel flow channels.

Technology

The AML:FC 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.

Key parameters can be validated against laboratory and test rig data to provide an exceptionally high degree of predictive accuracy.

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.

Typical applications and benefits

A high-fidelity gPROMS model provides quantitative information for decision support and risk management at all levels of component and system development.

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

A key use of high-accuracy predictive modelling is to explore a larger design space while simultaneously reducing the need to construct test rigs, thus saving on development time and cost.

Click on the graphic to the right to see some of the many typical applications of the AML:FC models, covering a wide range of component and system design issues.

AML:FC at-a-glance …

open customisable models
highest fidelity available
steady-state and dynamic
full model validation
combined gPROMS and CFD
flowsheeting
control design in Simulink
design of experiments
dynamic optimisation
access to all standard gPROMS facilities

Advantages of the AML:FC

The AML:FC has many significant advantages over other fuel cell models on the market.

Not least of these is that modellers can take advantage of all the standard facilities of gPROMS, such as the powerful built-in parameter estimation, optimisation and experiment design techniques and links to CFD packages for hydrodynamic modelling.

Some key advantages are:

Customisable open models

Because the AML:FC models are written in the easy-to-understand gPROMS language they can be provided in open model format for you to customise as you wish. This means that you can represent your exact cell, stack or system configuration.

Highest-fidelity models

The AML:FC models are constructed to the highest standard using state-of-the-art modelling techniques such as Maxwell-Stefan multicomponent diffusion techniques to take into account all relevant interactions.

Because of the way that gPROMS works, all of these effects are considered simultaneously during solution.

Steady-state and dynamic

Many modelling tools cater primarily or exclusively for steady-state modelling. However most critical design decisions require the analysis of performance during transient operation.

gPROMS makes no distinction between steady-state and dynamic models – it is designed to handle both with equal ease.

Using gPROMS's powerful dynamic modelling and optimisation features you can accurately model essential time-varying interactions such as performance during load change.

Model validation against laboratory data

It is not enough simply to have good models. For the ultimate in predictive accuracy, these models have to be validated against experimental data in order to adjust model parameters to reflect reality.

gPROMS's state-of-the-art model validation tools allow estimation of multiple model parameters from steady-state and dynamic experimental data, and provide rigorous model-based data analysis.

Combine the best of Advanced Process Modelling and CFD

The gPROMS Object for CFD for Fuel Cells allows you to link a gPROMS model of the anode-electrolyte-cathode assembly to a CFD model of the flow channels.

This means that you can use a gPROMS high-fidelity membrane model validated against experimental data to a detailed hydrodynamic model of the flow channels that takes into account the exact channel geometry.

The combined co-simulation or hybrid simulation model provides the ultimate steady-state accuracy for flow channel design, considering all interactions simultaneously.

Flowsheeting for systems design

An essential part of fuel cell development and design – particularly for systems that include integrated reforming – involves studying the complex interactions between different system components.

The gPROMS ModelBuilder environment provides all necessary facilities for system modelling. ModelBuilder allows you easily to create and maintain an entire system flowsheet by combining models from different libraries, including control models.

This allows you to study and optimise system interactions and analyse the dynamic behaviour of the entire system, as well to perform control design or design operating policy.

High-fidelity non-linear models for control design

You can export the high-fidelity process models constructed using the AML:FC to execute within The MathWorks Inc.'s MATLAB® and Simulink® control design environments. This is done using the gPROMS Objects for MATLAB and Simulink, gO:MATLAB and gO:Simulink respectively.

This means that control designers can use the same models as used for the process design, speeding up design and verification of the control scheme and resulting in a better control design.

Use gPROMS to design optimal experiments

You can use AML:FC models with gPROMS's model-based experiment design capabilities to design experiments that generate the maximum amount of parameter information from the minimum number of experiments.

This helps to accelerate development, minimise cost and reduce design risk, as well as to integrate R&D experimentation activities with engineering design.

Optimise directly – not by trial-and-error

gPROMS's comprehensive tools for the optimisation of design variables and operating policy enable direct solution of design challenges instead of lengthy trial-and-error simulation.

Using dynamic optimisation you can, for example, design optimal start-up policy taking into account system and material constraints, determine maximum rate-change constraints for load transitions, or determine optimal equipment sizes for desired performance – directly.

Fuel cell current density

gO:CFD for Fuel Cells

The gPROMS Object for CFD for Fuel Cells is a variation of gO:CFD for membranes specially designed for fuel cells.

It models the configuration shown in the diagram on the right, linking the physical, chemical and electrochemical effects modelled in the gPROMS membrane model to the flow channel cells adjacent on either side.

By taking all relevant interactions into account simultaneously and to a high degree of fidelity, both the flow channels and the stack are modelled to extreme predictive accuracy.

The results can be used to determine temperatures, concentrations and other quantities at all points in the design with a high degree of confidence.

Physical properties

Any of the physical property options supported by gPROMS can be used within the AML:FC models, providing complete flexibility.

Licensing, supported platforms and pre-requisites

These can be supplied by PSE on request.

Available