Uncertainty of measurement by Monte-Carlo simulation and metrological reliability in the evaluation of electric variables of PEMFC and SOFC fuel cells

The aim of this work is presenting results of uncertainty of measurement calculations applied to both a low temperature PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell) and a high temperature SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) by using Monte Carlo method simulations. The intention is correlating electric voltage, obtained in the technical literature, and energetic efficiency of the fuel cells studied in this work. In order to validate the Monte Carlo results achieved a comparison with the procedure for the evaluation of the uncertainty of measurement existing in the GUM 95 ”Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement” (by BIPM, IEC, IFCC, ISO, IUPAC, IUPAP and OIML) is made. A reasoning of the balancing of the sources of uncertainty is presented as well. In last, it is discussed why the calibration process and traceability of the voltmeter are key factors in providing reliable metrological results in the production of electricity by fuel cell technology. This work is the first part of a broader study from which the next steps will be the validation of these presented simulations by fuel cell bench tests and the planning and development of Brazilian Conformity Assessment programs for PEMFC and SOFC fuel cells afterwards.