RCAIDE.Library.Methods.Powertrain.Converters.Fuel_Cells.Common.compute_stack_properties
compute_stack_properties#
- compute_stack_properties(fuel_cell_stack)[source]#
Calculates fuel cell stack properties based on individual cell characteristics and stack configuration.
- Parameters:
fuel_cell_stack (RCAIDE.Components.Powertrain.Converters.Fuel_Cell_Stack) – The fuel cell stack component for which properties are being computed
- Return type:
None
Notes
This function computes geometric, electrical, and performance properties of a fuel cell stack based on individual cell properties and stack configuration. It handles both generic fuel cell stacks and proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks with different calculation methods.
For generic fuel cells, optimization is used to find the maximum power point. For PEM fuel cells, specialized performance models are used that account for operating conditions like temperature and pressure.
- The function calculates:
Physical dimensions (length, width, height) based on cell arrangement
Maximum power, voltage, and current
Fuel consumption rates
Mass properties
- Major Assumptions
Cell properties are uniform across the stack
Cells are arranged in a regular geometric pattern
For PEM cells, standard atmospheric conditions are used if not specified
Thermal effects within the stack are simplified
Theory
For generic fuel cells, the maximum power point is found by optimizing:
\[P_{max} = \max_{j \in [j_{min}, j_{max}]} P(j)\]where j is the current density and P is the power function.
- For PEM fuel cells, detailed electrochemical models account for:
Activation losses
Ohmic losses
Concentration losses