Pressure driven dynamics in PEMFCs: A comprehensive study on gas pressure influence over performance efficiency and stability

Saad S. Alrwashdeh; Saad S. Alrwashdeh

doi:10.3934/energy.2026007

AIMS Energy

2026, Volume 14, Issue 1: 161-184. doi: 10.3934/energy.2026007

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Pressure driven dynamics in PEMFCs: A comprehensive study on gas pressure influence over performance efficiency and stability

Saad S. Alrwashdeh ^,

Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mutah University, P.O Box 7, Al-Karak 61710 Jordan

Received: 01 October 2025 Revised: 17 December 2025 Accepted: 05 January 2026 Published: 22 January 2026

In this paper, we explored gas pressure as a determining factor influencing the performance, efficiency, and durability of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). An extensive simulation model was developed over operating pressures ranging from 1 to 4 atm at 353 K under fully humidified conditions. The findings indicated that increasing pressure by 1 atm to 2 atm enhances net efficiency by 17% (48.5 to 56.8%) and, correspondingly, maximum current density increases to 1.40 A cm^-2 and the stack life is estimated to be even longer, to almost 6,000 hours. Nonetheless, beyond a pressure of 4 atm, the returns are non-linear as compressor penalties become nearly 5-fold over baseline and long-term stability decreases to 5,100 hours. These results highlight the ideal operating range of 2–3 atm, and efficiency, durability, and water balance were optimized at the same time, which is consistent with and like earlier experimental works. The article gives practical information on pressure-tuning measures of PEMFCs in vehicle, marine, and non-portable energy systems.
- efficiency-stability trade-offs,
- gas pressure optimization,
- durability enhancement,
- PEMFCs
Citation: Saad S. Alrwashdeh. Pressure driven dynamics in PEMFCs: A comprehensive study on gas pressure influence over performance efficiency and stability[J]. AIMS Energy, 2026, 14(1): 161-184. doi: 10.3934/energy.2026007

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Abstract

In this paper, we explored gas pressure as a determining factor influencing the performance, efficiency, and durability of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). An extensive simulation model was developed over operating pressures ranging from 1 to 4 atm at 353 K under fully humidified conditions. The findings indicated that increasing pressure by 1 atm to 2 atm enhances net efficiency by 17% (48.5 to 56.8%) and, correspondingly, maximum current density increases to 1.40 A cm^-2 and the stack life is estimated to be even longer, to almost 6,000 hours. Nonetheless, beyond a pressure of 4 atm, the returns are non-linear as compressor penalties become nearly 5-fold over baseline and long-term stability decreases to 5,100 hours. These results highlight the ideal operating range of 2–3 atm, and efficiency, durability, and water balance were optimized at the same time, which is consistent with and like earlier experimental works. The article gives practical information on pressure-tuning measures of PEMFCs in vehicle, marine, and non-portable energy systems.

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