Fuel cell controllers

In some of the alternative energy processes, such as in fuel cell control and optimization, where the fuel gas is generated by wastewater digesters or garbage dumps, odor can indicate both the type and the concentration of these gases. These concentrations can be in the parts per billion (ppb) and parts per trillion (ppt) ranges, so extremely sensitive detectors are needed to measure them. 

The fuel cell system is controlled by a so called fuel cell control unit (FCU) in which all the algorithms are implemented. The fuel cell system controller communicates with the vehicle controller via a CAN interface and controls aU the high dynamic processes to feed the proper amount of hydrogen and air. In additimi the FCU controls all the processes like for example the start-up and the shut-down procedure and the overall water management. 

For controlling fuel-cell hybrid systems, two different types of controllers are used a fuel-cell controller and a DC- DC controller. An example of a control structure is shown in Figure 36.10. The first controller is used to control the air and fuel supply... 

Suh, K.W. and Stefanopoulou, A. (2005) Coordination of converter and fuel cell controllers. Presented at the 13th Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation, Limassol, Cyprus, June 2005. 

Finally, a topic that has to be addressed more intensively is the link between operational aspects of fuel cells and the stability of the bipolar plates. With intelligent fuel cell control many degradation mechanisms can be avoided, but real guidelines for system-developing companies rarely exist. 

Dynamic Simulation and Fuel Cell Control System... 

Fuel cell control options with feed-forward and feedback configurations using a look-up table,... 

Rgab, O., D. L. Yu and J. B. Gomm. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell control with feed-forward and feedback strategy. International Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology 2(10) 56-66, 2010. 

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