Introduction

Purpose

The Fuel Cell Library, or the FCL, is intended for modeling of fuel cells and fuel cell systems. The library is targeted to modeling, simulation, analysis and control design of fuel cell systems and contains generic components for a wide range of applications. The library also contains predefined reactors for fuel preprocessing and internal reforming, and predefined stack structures for both Solid Oxide (SOFC) and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEMFC) fuel cells.

Some highlights:

  • Well suited for system and component design
  • May be used in any fuel cell application domain
  • Easy to adapt stack and reactor templates to new structures
  • Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) in the same tool
  • Predefined reactors for fuel pre-processing and internal stack reforming
  • Reactions calculated by various approaches
  • Handles reformate and other ideal gas mixtures
  • Support for condensation

Modeling and simulation

Many simulation tools are essentially user-interfaces for setting the parameters of fixed simulation models. This means that the actual equations that describe the model are impossible, or difficult, to modify by users. This Modelon modelica library offers a different approach and provides much more flexibility. In combination with a simulation tool this Modelon library is a complete modeling and simulation tool. This is important to understand, since it implies that the working procedure is slightly different and contains some additional steps:

  • Build models that describe the phenomena of interest,
  • Tune the model parameters,
  • Use the models to set up an experiment that exposes the phenomena of interest,
  • Simulate the experiment,
  • Analyze the results

This Modelon library contains a large set of pre-defined models and templates that makes most modeling tasks straightforward. For many standard tasks it is possible to use the library in the same way as a pure simulation tool, i.e. it is sufficient to choose the right model, define all parameters and start the simulation.

Flexibility with prudence

It is possible for users to modify and extend most of the models in the library, and also to complement the library with custom models. It is also possible to mix with model components from other libraries. This is one of the major benefits of describing models using a high-level modeling language like Modelica. Customization of models and components can be done either from the graphical user interface and diagram view, or, for advanced users, by typing Modelica source code. There is also great flexibility in setting up experiments and analyzing results. The flexibility implies great freedom for users to define models and experiments, but may also require more attention to details and understanding.