Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications

Year 2026, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 23 - 34, 27.02.2026

Soner Çelikdemir , Süleyman Yıldız

https://doi.org/10.5152/tepes.2026.25037

https://izlik.org/JA32TZ67RD

Abstract

under various operating conditions. The originality of this work lies in the detailed investigation of both single and dual parameter variations on system output power, conducted through a MATLAB/Simulink based model. The key parameters examined include temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and contact resistance, each systematically varied individually and in pairs within specified ranges. The isolated effects of each variable and parameter pair on fuel cell performance are thoroughly evaluated. The novelty of this study lies in the modeling approach, which significantly reduces experimental costs and time, while enabling the determination of optimal operating parameters. The results provide valuable guidance for identifying the optimal power region and corresponding operating parameters for PEMFC integration in aviation. This comprehensive analysis contributes to the advancement of fuel cell based aviation applications and the improvement of system design processes. Furthermore, a system-level assessment is conducted by integrating a simplified Balance of Plant (BoP) model, which quantifies parasitic loads and reveals their impact on net power and overall efficiency at the 250 W operating point. Quantitatively, at the 250 W operating point, the modeled gross stack efficiency is 54.96%, while inclusion of the BoP reduces the net system efficiency to 46.55%. This reduction arises from the combined effect of parasitic loads, predominantly the air compressor, along with the humidifier, cooling pump, fan, and power electronics.

Keywords

Operational conditions , proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) , performance analysis

References

• 1. S. Çelikdemir, and M. T. Özdemir, “An innovative approach to estimating green hydrogen production costs,” Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, vol. 144, pp. 582–592, 2025.
• 2. G. K. Karayel, N. Javani, and I. Dincer, “Green hydrogen production potential in Turkey with wind power,” Int. J. Green Energy, vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 129–138, 2022.
• 3. C. Haydaroğlu, “Chaos-based optimization for load frequency control in Islanded airport microgrids with hydrogen energy and electric aircraft,” Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, vol. 143, pp. 1198–1214, 2025.
• 4. M. Y. Çelikdemir, “A novel approach to flooding fault detection and risk assessment in PEM fuel cells using data‐driven models,” IET Renew. Power Gener, vol. 19, no. 1, 2025.
• 5. P. Aliberti, M. Minneci, M. Sorrentino, F. Cuomo, and C. Musto, “Efficiency- based modeling of aeronautical proton exchange membrane fuel Cell Systems for integrated simulation framework applications,” Energies, vol. 18, no. 4, p. 999, 2025.
• 6. D. K. Madheswaran, M. Thangamuthu, S. Gnanasekaran, S. Gopi, T. Ayyasamy, and S. S. Pardeshi, “Powering the future: Progress and hurdles in developing proton exchange membrane fuel cell components to achieve Department of Energy goals—A systematic review,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 22, p. 15923, 2023.
• 7. D. Guida, and M. Minutillo, “Design methodology for a PEM fuel cell power system in a more electrical aircraft,” Appl. Energy, vol. 192, pp. 446–456, 2017.
• 8. Y. Zhang et al., “Fuel cell system for aviation applications: Modeling, parameter sensitivity, and control,” Energy Convers. Manag., vol. 312, p. 118555, 2024.
• 9. S. Kazula, S. de Graaf, and L. Enghardt, “Review of fuel cell technologies and evaluation of their potential and challenges for electrified propulsion systems in commercial aviation,” J. Glob. Power Propuls. Soc., vol. 7, pp. 43–57, 2023.
• 10. M. Ayar, and T. H. Karakoc, “Decision mechanism between fuel cell types: A case study for small aircraft,” Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, vol. 48, no. 60, pp. 23156–23167, 2023.
• 11. K. Jiao et al., “Designing the next generation of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells,” Nature, vol. 595, no. 7867, pp. 361–369, 2021.
• 12. E. J. Adler, and J. R. R. A. Martins, “Hydrogen-powered aircraft: Fundamental concepts, key technologies, and environmental impacts,” Prog. Aerosp. Sci., vol. 141, p. 100922, 2023.
• 13. I. Staffell et al., “The role of hydrogen and fuel cells in the global energy system,” Energy Environ. Sci., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 463–491, 2019.
• 14. J. Hoelzen, D. Silberhorn, T. Zill, B. Bensmann, and R. Hanke-Rauschenbach, “Hydrogen-powered aviation and its reliance on green hydrogen infrastructure – Review and research gaps,” Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 3108–3130, 2022.
• 15. X. Hu, Y. Zheng, D. A. Howey, H. Perez, A. Foley, and M. Pecht, “Battery warm-up methodologies at subzero temperatures for automotive applications: Recent advances and perspectives,” Prog. Energy Combust. Sci., vol. 77, p. 100806, 2020.
• 16. A. Wilson, G. Kleen, and D. Ppageorgopoulos, “Fuel cell system cost - 2017,” 2017. [Online]. Available: https:// www.hydr ogen.ene rgy.gov/ docs/hyd rogenpro gramlibr aries/pd fs/17007 fuel_ce ll_syste m_cost_2 017.pdf? Status=M aster.
• 17. X. Liu et al., “Oriented proton-conductive nano-sponge-facilitated polymer electrolyte membranes,” Energy Environ. Sci., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 297–309, 2020.
• 18. T. Wilberforce et al., “Recovery of waste heat from proton exchange membrane fuel cells – A review,” Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, vol. 52, pp. 933–972, 2024.
• 19Ge Z., Yuan, Y., and Shi, J., 2022, “Challenges in Developing Linerless Composite Gas Cylinder for On-Board Hydrogen Storage,” Proceedings of the ASME 2022 Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference (PVP2022), Paper No. PVP2022-86144.
• 20. G. Onorato, P. Proesmans, and M. F. M. Hoogreef, “Assessment of hydrogen transport aircraft: Effects of fuel tank integration,” CEAS Aeronaut. J., vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 813–845, 2022.
• 21. A. S. White, E. Waddington, J. M. Merret, E. M. Greitzer, P. J. Ansell, and D. K. Hall, “System-level utilization of low-grade, MW-scale thermal loads for electric aircraft,” in AIAA AVIATION 2022 Forum, Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2022.
• 22. M. Bradley, “Identification and descriptions of fuel cell architectures for aircraft applications,” in IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference & Expo (ITEC), IEEE, 2022, pp. 1047–1050.
• 23. H. Appleman, “The formation of exhaust condensation trails by jet aircraft,” Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc., vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 14–20, 1953.
• 24. E. Abohamzeh, F. Salehi, M. Sheikholeslami, R. Abbassi, and F. Khan, “Review of hydrogen safety during storage, transmission, and applications processes,” J. Loss Prev. Process Ind., vol. 72, p. 104569, 2021.
• 25. E. Waddington, J. M. Merret, and P. J. Ansell, “Impact of LH 2 fuel cellelectric propulsion on aircraft configuration and integration,” in AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2021.
• 26. K. Amadori, and C. Jouannet, “Towards zero-emission transportation in Scandinavia,” in AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2023.
• 27. M. Cheng et al., “Porous titanium water transport plates applied in liquid-cooled H2-O2 proton exchange membrane fuel cells for enhanced passive water management,” J. Power Sources, vol. 647, p. 237274, 2025.
• 28. C. Dai, W. Chen, Z. Cheng, Q. Li, Z. Jiang, and J. Jia, “Seeker optimization algorithm for global optimization: A case study on optimal modelling of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC),” Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst., vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 369–376, 2011.
• 29. S. Celikdemir, “A new voltage-power based approach for identifying the optimal parameters of PEM fuel cells,” Int. J. Hydrog. Energy, vol. 75, pp. 592–603, 2024.
• 30. J. C. Amphlett, R. M. Baumert, R. F. Mann, B. A. Peppley, P. R. Roberge, and T. J. Harris, “Performance modeling of the Ballard Mark IV solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell: I. Mechanistic model development,” J. Electrochem. Soc., vol. 142, no. 1, pp. 1–8, 1995.
• 31. A. Kirubakaran, S. Jain, and R. K. Nema, “A review on fuel cell technologies and power electronic interface,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 13, no. 9, pp. 2430–2440, 2009.
• 32. Z. J. Mo, X. J. Zhu, L. Y. Wei, and G. Y. Cao, “Parameter optimization for a PEMFC model with a hybrid genetic algorithm,” Int. J. Energy Res., vol. 30, No. 8, pp. 585–597, 2006.
• 33. G. Renouard-Vallet, M. Saballus, P. Schumann, J. Kallo, K. A. Friedrich, and H. Müller-Steinhagen, “Fuel cells for civil aircraft application: Onboard production of power, water and inert gas,” Chem. Eng. Res. Des., vol. 90, no. 1, pp. 3–10, 2012.
• 34. J. W. Pratt, L. E. Klebanoff, K. Munoz-Ramos, A. A. Akhil, D. B. Curgus, and B. L. Schenkman, “Proton exchange membrane fuel cells for electrical power generation on-board commercial airplanes,” Appl. Energy, vol. 101, pp. 776–796, 2013.
• 35. N. Mahdavi, “Modelling of the power demand of peripheral aggregates of an airborne fuel cell-based power system,” Aerospace, vol. 12, no. 3, p. 234, 2025.