Optimization and Integration of PEM Fuel Cell System with Intelligent Controller and DC/DC Boost Converter for Enhanced Efficiency and Reliability

International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
© 2024 by SSRG - IJEEE Journal
Volume 11 Issue 3
Year of Publication : 2024
Authors : K. Keerthana, S. Singaravelu
pdf
How to Cite?

K. Keerthana, S. Singaravelu, "Optimization and Integration of PEM Fuel Cell System with Intelligent Controller and DC/DC Boost Converter for Enhanced Efficiency and Reliability," SSRG International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, vol. 11,  no. 3, pp. 280-287, 2024. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488379/IJEEE-V11I3P123

Abstract:

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells stand at the forefront of sustainable energy technologies in harnessing the chemical energy of hydrogen to generate electrical power with unparalleled efficiency and minimal environmental impact. By converting hydrogen fuel directly into electricity, PEM fuel cells offer a promising path to mitigate energy consumption, reduce pollutant emissions and restrict reliance on fossil fuels. PEM fuel cells are also known as Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells, which boast advantages such as low weight and volume, distinguishing them from other fuel cell technologies. This progress has prompted a comprehensive optimization of PEMFCs aimed at validating calculated stack power against nominal power and assessing overall efficiency. Notably, the investigation also underscores the key role played by internal cell resistance in determining stack power and studying the strategies to minimize the impact of internal cell resistance. To enhance the integration of PEMFCs into applied energy systems, this study takes a step further by coupling the fuel cell with a DC/DC boost converter featuring an intelligent controller in the SIMULNIK platform. This strategic integration not only optimizes the performance of the fuel cell but also contributes to DC microgrid stability, enhancing the overall viability and reliability of the sustainable energy solution. This research investigates the better optimization and analysis of PEM fuel cells, which emphasize their potential to revolutionize energy generation by efficiently converting chemical energy into electricity. This study doesn’t just stop at theoretical advancements by exploring intelligent control and converter technologies; it presents a comprehensive and holistic outline for routing PEMFCs into the forefront of a sustainable and reliable energy research community.

Keywords:

PEMFC, Intelligent control, Efficiency, Temperature management, Sustainable, SIMULINK, Optimization.

References:

[1] Norazlianie Sazali et al., “New Perspectives on Fuel Cell Technology: A Brief Review,” Membranes, vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 1-18, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Yun Wang et al., “A Review of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells: Technology, Applications, and Needs on Fundamental Research,” Applied Energy, vol. 88, no. 4, pp. 981-1007, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Adam Z. Weber, Sivagaminathan Balasubramanian, and Prodip K. Das., “Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells,” Advances in Chemical Engineering, vol. 41, pp. 65-144, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Miriam M. Tellez-Cruz et al., “Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs): Advances and Challenges,” Polymers, vol. 13, no. 18, pp. 1-54, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Keith Promislow, and Brian Wetton, “PEM Fuel Cells: A Mathematical Overview,” SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, vol. 70, no. 2, pp. 369-409, 2009.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Lei Mao, Lisa Jackson, and Tom Jackson, “Investigation of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Internal Behaviour during Long Term Operation and Its Use in Prognostics,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 362, pp. 39-49, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Rony Escobar-Yonoff et al., “Performance Assessment and Economic Perspectives of Integrated PEM Fuel Cell and PEM Electrolyzer for Electric Power Generation,” Heliyon, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1-18, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Tao Hai et al., “Performance Improvement of PEM Fuel Cell Power System Using Fuzzy Logic Controller-Based MPPT Technique to Extract the Maximum Power under Various Conditions,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 48, no. 11 pp. 4430-4445, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Ya-Xiong Wang et al., “Robust DC/DC Converter Control for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Application,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 261, pp. 292-305, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Song-Yul Choe et al., “Integrated Modeling and Control of a PEM Fuel Cell Power System with a PWM DC/DC Converter,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 164, no. 2, pp. 614-623, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] El Manaa Barhoumi, Slah Farhani, and Faouzi Bacha, “High Efficiency Power Electronic Converter for Fuel Cell System Application,” Ain Shams Engineering Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 2655-2664, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] A. Kirubakaran, Shailendra Jain, and Rajesh K. Nema, “The PEM Fuel Cell System with DC/DC Boost Converter: Design, Modeling and Simulation,” International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 157-161, 2009.
[Google Scholar]
[13] Sanghavi B.M., Tejaswini C., and Venkateshappa Venkateshappa, “DC/DC Boost Converter Using DSP Controller for Fuel Cell,” Perspectives in Communication, Embedded-Systems and Signal-Processing, vol. 2, no. 10, pp. 248-251, 2019.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Catalina Gonzalez-Castano et al., “A Bidirectional Versatile Buck-Boost Converter Driver for Electric Vehicle Applications,” Sensors, vol. 21, no. 17, pp. 1-21, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Abhishek Sakhare, Asad Davari, and Ali Feliachi, “Fuzzy Logic Control of Fuel Cell for Stand-Alone and Grid Connection,” Journal of Power Sources, vol. 135, no. 1-2, pp. 165-176, 2004.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Khaled Mammar, and Abdelkader Chaker, “Fuzzy Logic Control of Fuel Cell System for Residential Power Generation,” Journal of Electrical Engineering, vol. 60, no. 6, pp. 328-334, 2009.
[Google Scholar]
[17] Sy-Ruen Huang et al., “The Application of Fuzzy Controller for Fuel Cell Generating Studies,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 33, no. 19, pp. 5205-5217, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Sude Kart et al., “Increasing PEM Fuel Cell Performance via Fuzzy-Logic Controlled Cascaded DC-DC Boost Converter,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 54, pp. 84-95, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] B. Raja Sekhar Reddy, V.C. Veera Reddy, and M. Vijaya Kumar, “Modelling and Analysis of DC-DC Converters with AI Based MPP Tracking Approaches for Grid-Tied PV-Fuel Cell System,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 216, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]