Operational Efficiency Improvement of PEM Fuel Cell - A Sliding Mode Based Modern Control Approach

Javaid, Usman; Mehmood, Adeel; Arshad, Ali; Imtiaz, Fahad; Iqbal, Jamshed

Abstract

The efficiency and durability of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) can be improved with proper controller design to regulate the flow of reactants, cell stack temperature and humidity of the membrane. In this paper, sliding mode controllers (SMC) are proposed for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell PEMFC. In particular, first order SMC and second order SMC based on super twisting algorithm are designed and investigated. The actual process has been formulated in simulation by Pukurushpan's ninth order model. Performance of both control laws has been compared in simulation in MATLAB/Simulink environment in terms of oxygen excess ratio, net power generated, stack voltage/power produced and compressor motor voltage. Simulation results dictate that second order SMC demonstrates superior performance in terms of set-point tracking and disturbance rejection. The designed controller makes the interaction of various subsystems in a smooth manner and consequently improves the overall efficiency of the system and prolongs the stack life of the fuel cells.

Citation

Javaid, U., Mehmood, A., Arshad, A., Imtiaz, F., & Iqbal, J. (2020). Operational Efficiency Improvement of PEM Fuel Cell - A Sliding Mode Based Modern Control Approach. IEEE Access, 8, 95823-95831. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2995895

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 7, 2020
• Online Publication Date: May 20, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Sep 14, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 23, 2021
• Journal: IEEE Access
• Electronic ISSN: 2169-3536
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Pages: 95823-95831
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2995895
• Keywords: Efficiency improvement; Oxygen excess ratio; PEM fuel cell; Sliding mode control; Super twisting algorithm
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3796884