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

Soner Çelikdemir; Süleyman Yıldız

doi:10.5152/tepes.2026.25037

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

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

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Electrical Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Soner Çelikdemir ^*
0000-0002-1419-3398
Türkiye

Süleyman Yıldız
0000-0003-2325-8058
Türkiye

Publication Date

February 27, 2026

Submission Date

October 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 18, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 6 Number: 1

DOI

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

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA32TZ67RD

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Çelikdemir, S., & Yıldız, S. (2026). Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications. Turkish Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 6(1), 23-34. https://doi.org/10.5152/tepes.2026.25037

AMA

1.Çelikdemir S, Yıldız S. Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications. TEPES. 2026;6(1):23-34. doi:10.5152/tepes.2026.25037

Chicago

Çelikdemir, Soner, and Süleyman Yıldız. 2026. “Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications”. Turkish Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 6 (1): 23-34. https://doi.org/10.5152/tepes.2026.25037.

EndNote

Çelikdemir S, Yıldız S (February 1, 2026) Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications. Turkish Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 6 1 23–34.

IEEE

[1]S. Çelikdemir and S. Yıldız, “Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications”, TEPES, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 23–34, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.5152/tepes.2026.25037.

ISNAD

Çelikdemir, Soner - Yıldız, Süleyman. “Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications”. Turkish Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems 6/1 (February 1, 2026): 23-34. https://doi.org/10.5152/tepes.2026.25037.

JAMA

1.Çelikdemir S, Yıldız S. Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications. TEPES. 2026;6:23–34.

MLA

Çelikdemir, Soner, and Süleyman Yıldız. “Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications”. Turkish Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, vol. 6, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 23-34, doi:10.5152/tepes.2026.25037.

Vancouver

1.Soner Çelikdemir, Süleyman Yıldız. Performance Evaluation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Different Operating Conditions for Aircraft Applications. TEPES. 2026 Feb. 1;6(1):23-34. doi:10.5152/tepes.2026.25037