Analysis of Power Spectral Density as a Diagnostic Tool in PEM Fuel Cells with Pulsed Loads
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64470/elene.2026.40Keywords:
Power spectral density, fuel cells, pulsed loadAbstract
The analysis of fuel cell current power spectral density (PSD) of a Horizon H-100 proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack operating with a pulsed load is presented. Fuel cell current fluctuations can be used as a reliable diagnostic tool for the PEM fuel cell. Analysis of low-frequency flicker noise in a PEM fuel cell can provide a highly sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting degradation and classifying the operating state of the fuel cell. The PSD of the fuel cell current can be used as a statistical descriptor in the frequency domain. The slope α of the PSD of the fuel cell current can be monitored non-invasively to track the operating state and degradation of the fuel cell. The results from experimental tests are presented to illustrate that the value of α can be monitored to detect abnormal operation in the H-100 PEM fuel cell.
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