4. Thermal management

There are different sources of heat in a fuel cell system:

• firstly, and this is the most important source, at stack level, where electrochemical losses and the Joule effect translate into heat;

• then to the various system auxiliaries:

  • in the electrical converters used in the system (particularly at the stack output for shaping the electrical energy produced),

  • in the electrical and thermodynamic machines present in the system (electric motor driving the air compressor, air compressor, gas humidifiers where applicable, etc.),

  • in the reformer burner (for external reforming batteries).

Of course, stack and system temperature must be controlled throughout operation,...