Publication

Model-based analysis for the thermal management of open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems concerning efficiency and stability

Journal Article (2016)

Journal

Journal of Process Control

Pages

201–212

Volume

47

Doc link

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jprocont.2016.09.004

File

Download the digital copy of the doc pdf document

Abstract

In this work we present a dynamic, control-oriented, concentrated parameter model of an open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell system for the study of stability and efficiency improvement with respect to thermal management. The system model consists of two dynamic states which are the fuel cell temperature and the liquid water saturation in the cathode catalyst layer. The control action of the system is the inlet air velocity of the cathode air flow manifold, set by the cooling fan, and the system output is the stack voltage. From the model we derive the equilibrium points and eigenvalues within a set of operating conditions and subsequently discuss stability and the possibility of efficiency improvement. The model confirms the existence of a temperature-dependent maximum power in the moderate temperature region. The stability analysis shows that the maximum power line decomposes the phase plane in two parts, namely stable and unstable equilibrium points. The model is capable of predicting the temperature of a stable steady-state voltage maximum and the simulation results serve for the design of optimal thermal management strategies.

Categories

control system analysis computing, power generation control.

Scientific reference

S. Strahl and R. Costa. Model-based analysis for the thermal management of open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems concerning efficiency and stability. Journal of Process Control, 47: 201–212, 2016.