Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications
Open Access
ISSN: 2090-4541
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2090-4541
+44 1300 500008
Mohmad Alrweg and Alhussein Albarbar
Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Fundam Renewable Energy App
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have great potential for wider adoption in both static and mobile applications. For the purposes of optimizing their design, control and reliability, a number of parameters have to be precisely measured and interpreted. To date, none of these parameters could serve as an ideal tool for the above-mentioned purposes. However, it is believed that their dynamic induced variables carry the information sought for. Acoustics is among the parameters and thus, more work is required in this direction to gain better understanding of the acoustical characteristics of PEMFCs. This work is an attempt to provide rigorous investigation into the generation mechanisms and characteristics of the acoustic signatures emitted by PEMFCs. An experimental acoustic model was derived to describe the nature of the generated acoustic signals and its outcomes are validated via a number of experiments carried out using a purposely designed and implemented 0.5W PEM single fuel cell. A proper sensor was placed on the PEMFC to capture AE signals. Different loads are used to evaluate the AE levels. The results indicate that increasing the load value leads to increasing intensity of AE. In addition to the experimental model, a simulation model for the PEMFC is constructed and designed in MATLAB. A good agreement is achieved between the modelling and experimental outcomes.