In this master’s thesis, we investigated the operation of a low-temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (LT PEMFC), focusing on experimentally evaluating the effect of increasing oxidant concentration at the cathode and other operating conditions (temperature, pressure). The results obtained on the experimental test track were extrapolated to a stack of fuel cells that would be used to power an acrobatic aircraft. The aircraft operates in two modes; during acrobatics, a power of 300 kW is required, while 100 kW suffices for flying at other times. We developed a numerical model of a fuel cell stack operating above ambient pressure and with an oxygen concentration of 100 %. We then modeled the same stack at ambient pressure and oxygen concentration of 21 %, as it is present in air. The outcome of the numerical model for the selected mission of an aerobatics aircraft flight mission is a fuel cell stack, that is larger and more powerful than anything currently available on the market. To integrate a fuel cell stack of the required power into the aircraft, we have presented several approaches for the modular integration of multiple, lower-power stacks.
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