Design and implementation of LQR/LQG strategies for oxygen stoichiometry control in PEM fuel cells based systems

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 196; no. 9; pp. 4277 - 4282
• Main Authors: Niknezhadi, Ali, Allué-Fantova, Miguel, Kunusch, Cristian, Ocampo-Martínez, Carlos
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding Publication
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-05-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Automation Linear quadratic control Optimisation LGQ/LQR control PEM fuel cells Oxygen stoichiometry; Automàtica i control; Control systems; Design engineering; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Dynamical systems; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Experimental results; Fuel cells; Informàtica; LGQ/LQR control; Mathematical models; Nonlinear dynamics; Oxygen stoichiometry; PEM fuel cells; Stoichiometry; Strategy; Àrees temàtiques de la UPC; Oxygen stoichiometry; LGQ/LQR control; PEM fuel cells; Experimental results; Oxygen; LQ control; Polymer electrolytes; Polymer solid electrolyte; Experimental study; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Implementation
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.11.059

This paper presents the oxygen stoichiometry control problem of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and introduces a solution through an optimal control methodology. Based on the study of a non-linear dynamical model of a laboratory PEM fuel cell system and its associated components (air compressor, humidifiers, line heaters, valves, etc.), a control strategy for the oxygen stoichiometry regulation in the cathode line is designed and tested. From a linearised model of the system, an LQR/LQG controller is designed to give a solution to the stated control problem. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed controllers design.