Simulation-Based Performance Analysis of Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells: Polarization Behavior, Power Density, and Sensitivity to Operating Conditions

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive modeling and performance analysis of phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs) using a hybrid simulation approach that integrates Aspen Plus for thermodynamic evaluation and Engineering Equation Solver (EES) for electrochemical kinetics. The primary objective is to generate polarization and power density curves while quantitatively isolating activation, ohmic, and concentration voltage losses. Furthermore, the parametric impacts of operating pressure and temperature on the net electrical power output are systematically investigated. The simulation results exhibit excellent agreement with established reference data, confirming that elevated operating pressures and temperatures—within operational material limits—substantially enhance reaction kinetics and mitigate ohmic losses, thereby boosting overall cell efficiency and peak power output. This validated model establishes a robust predictive framework for PAFC performance evaluation and its future integration with advanced waste heat recovery systems.