In this paper, the use of an adaptive technique aimed at controlling a polymeric electrolyte membrane fuel cell is introduced. It is demonstrated that a hill climbing-based method, acting on the compressor speed and/or the cathode back-pressure valve, allows to better take into account the effect of exogenous variables on stack performance. Particularly, the proposed technique has proven to perform better than classical feedforward/feedback approaches when well known aging mechanisms deteriorate cell efficiency. Numerical results based on experimentally derived models confirm the potential of the proposed control method and its intrinsic reliability.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
polymeric electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, adaptive control, hill climbing, ageing, cathodes, compressors, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, reliability
Topics:
Compressors, Electrolytes, Fuel cells, Membranes, Pressure, Valves, Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, Proton exchange membranes
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