An innovating application of PEM fuel cell: Current source controlled by hydrogen supply

Fuel cells are complex systems which can be considered as low voltage electrical source. Preliminary investigations led with a single proton exchange membrane fuel cell, either short-circuited or hybridized by discharged supercapacitors, could evidence the behavior as a current source, in which the current is directly controlled by the hydrogen flow rate. This operation mode imposes the fuel cell voltage to be far below the threshold recommended by the fuel cell manufacturer. The paper deals with this unusual application of fuel cell and its benefits such as the high quality current, free of oscillations that might be upgraded for superconducting coil supply. To investigate this operation mode an appropriate single fuel cell model is established and then validated by means of a test bench equipped with a proton exchange membrane single fuel cell.

► A fuel cell innovating application as a current source has been highlighted.
► Experiments bring to light the current controlled by hydrogen flow rate.
► Further investigations are led by means of an appropriate single fuel cell model.
► Single fuel cell operation in controlled current short-circuit is investigated.
► Superconducting coil supply and direct hybridization are possible applications.