Ground simulation of fuel cell/battery hybrid propulsion system for small unmanned air vehicles

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinan Keiyinci ◽  
Kadir Aydin
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
Unmanned Air Vehicles ◽  
Power Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hybrid Propulsion ◽  
Air Vehicles

Purpose The endurance of small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) is directly associated with the energy density of the propulsion system used. As the batteries commonly used in small UAVs have a relatively low energy density, they are not sufficient for long-term endurance tasks. The purpose of this paper is to offer a solution to increase the endurance of a concept small UAV with combination of different power sources. The design, construction and ground tests of fuel cell-powered hybrid propulsion systems are presented in this paper. Design/methodology/approach The power requirements of a concept UAV were calculated according to aerodynamic calculations and then, hybrid propulsion system sources are determined. The hybrid system consists of a 100 W scale proton-exchange membrane (PEM) type fuel cell stack, lithium-polymer battery, solar cells and power management system (PMS). Subsequently, this hybrid power system was integrated with the new design of PMS and then series of ground tests were carried out. Findings This experimental study proved that it is theoretically possible to obtain an endurance of around 3 h for concept UAV with the proposed hybrid system. Practical implications The research study shows that fuel cell-based hybrid propulsion system with the proposed PMS can be widely used to obtain extended endurance in small UAVs. Originality/value A hybrid propulsion system with a novel PMS unit is proposed for small UAVs and the ground tests were implemented.

scholarly journals Saving Hydrogen Fuel Consumption and Operating at High Efficiency of Fuel Cell in Hybrid System to Power UAV

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-42
Author(s):  
Baba Omar ◽  
Al Savvaris ◽  
Rahil O ◽  
Abdulhadi ◽  
Muhammad Khairul Afdhol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Fuzzy Logic Controller ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Propulsion System ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Optimal Point ◽  
Hybrid Propulsion

The present fuel cell technology is under considerations as a potential power source for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Fuel cells are an electrochemical power plant that takes hydrogen and oxygen as inputs and produces electricity, water and heat as outputs.  Most of the global hydrogen production is from non-renewable fossil fuels. Therefore, this paper investigates how to save hydrogen fuel consumption and operate at high efficiency in the fuel cell/battery hybrid system to power a small Aircraft. We achieved that by working on the power management of the fuel cell/battery hybrid propulsion system for small UAV by using the fuzzy logic controller and charging up the batteries. The hybrid propulsion system consists of a 1.2kW PEM fuel cell, three 12V batteries, DC/DC converters, and an electric engine. The fuzzy logic controls the batteries' output powers through the bidirectional DC/DC converter. It will help maintain the fuel cell operates at an optimal point with high efficiency as the main power supply for different flight phases to achieve the desired power.

Thermo-Economic Analysis of a Photovoltaic-Fuel Cell Hybrid System With Energy Storage for CHP Production in Household Sector

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Ancona ◽  
M. Bianchi ◽  
A. De Pascale ◽  
F. Melino ◽  
A. Peretto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power System ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Optimal Size ◽  
Photovoltaic Array ◽  
Continuous Power

The penetration of renewable sources, particularly wind and solar, into the grid has been increasing in recent years. As a consequence, there have been serious concerns over reliable and safety operation of power systems. One possible solution, to improve grid integrity, is to integrate energy storage devices into power system network: storing energy produced in periods of low demand to later use, ensuring full exploitation of intermittent available sources. Focusing on photovoltaic energy system, energy storage is needed with the purpose of ensuring continuous power flow to minimize or to neglect electrical grid supply. A comprehensive study on a hybrid micro-CHP system based on photovoltaic panels using hydrogen as energy storage technologies has been performed. This study examines the feasibility of replacing electricity provided by the grid with a hybrid system to meet household demand. This paper is a part of an experimental and a theoretical study which is currently under development at University of Bologna where a test facility is under construction for the experimental characterization of a small scale cogenerative power system. This paper presents the theoretical results of a hybrid system performance simulations made of a photovoltaic array an electrolyzer with a H2 tank and a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell stack designed to satisfy typical household electrical demand. The performance of this system have been evaluated by the use of a calculation code, in-house developed by the University of Bologna. Results of the carried out parametric investigations identify photovoltaic and fuel cell systems’ optimal size in order to minimize the purchasing of electrical energy from the grid. Future activities will be the tuning of the software with the experimental results, in order to realize a code able to define the correct size of each sub-system, once the load profile of the utility is known or estimated.

Grid – connected operation and performance of hybrid DG having PV and PEMFC

Circuit World ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayana Shetty ◽  
Chakrasali R.L.
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Distributed Generation ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Photovoltaic Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Solar Irradiation ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
And Performance

Purpose “the purpose of this study/paper” or “this study/paper aims to” in the Purpose section of the Abstract. The integration of distributed generation (DG) to the utility grid is yet another approach to provide reliable and secured power. Design/methodology/approach The significant concern in this contemporary world are the day-to-day increasing power demand, lack of energy and increasing environmental pollution, which are threatening the existence of living things. Findings The research focus here is to adequacy and security in the grid-integrated hybrid distributed generation (DG) having photovoltaic (PV) and proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Originality/value PV system is a clean source of generation and suitable for many applications. Photovoltaic cell captures the energy from solar irradiation. To track the maximum power from PV, perturb and observe method is used. As it is intermittent in nature, integrating PV with fuel cell makes the hybrid source more reliable. Power electronic interfacing devices are used to integrate this hybrid DG source to microgrid. The simulation of this grid-connected hybrid DG is performed using Matlab/Simulink environment.

scholarly journals Design of hybrid electric heavy fuel MALE ISR UAV enabling technologies for military operations

2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 745-755
Author(s):  
Marco Fioriti ◽  
Silvio Vaschetto ◽  
Sabrina Corpino ◽  
Giovanna Premoli
Keyword(s):  
Propulsion System ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
Safety Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hybrid Propulsion ◽  
Electric System ◽  
Operating Modes ◽  
Enabling Technologies ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Hybrid Electric

Purpose This paper aims to present the main results achieved in the frame of the TIVANO national-funded project which may anticipate, in a stepped approach, the evolution and the design of the enabling technologies needed for a hybrid/electric medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to perform persistent intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) military operations. Design/methodology/approach Different architectures of hybrid-propulsion system are analyzed pointing out their operating modes to select the more suitable architecture for the reference aircraft. The selected architecture is further analyzed together with its electric power plant branch focusing on electric system architecture and the selected electric machine. A final comparison between the hybrid and standard propulsion is given at aircraft level. Findings The use of hybrid propulsion may lead to a reduction of the total aircraft mass and an increase in safety level. However, this result comes together with a reduced performance in climb phase. Practical implications This study can be used as a reference for similar studies and it provides a detailed description of propulsion operating modes, power management, electric system and machine architecture. Originality/value This study presents a novel application of hybrid propulsion focusing on a three tons class MALE UAV for ISR missions. It provides new operating modes of the propulsion system and a detailed electric architecture of its powertrain branch and machine. Some considerations on noise emissions and infra-red traceability of this propulsion, at aircraft level.

Parameter identification of solar cells and fuel cell using improved social spider algorithm

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Kashefi ◽  
Ahmad Sadegheih ◽  
Ali Mostafaeipour ◽  
Mohammad Mohammadpour Omran
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Social Spider ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Modified Method ◽  
Social Spider Algorithm

Purpose To design, control and evaluate photovoltaic (PV) systems, an accurate model is required. Accuracy of PV models depends on model parameters. This study aims to use a new algorithm called improved social spider algorithm (ISSA) to detect model parameters. Design/methodology/approach To improve performance of social spider algorithm (SSA), an elimination period is added. In addition, at the beginning of each period, a certain number of the worst solutions are replaced by new solutions in the search space. This allows the particles to find new paths to get the best solution. Findings In this paper, ISSA is used to estimate parameters of single-diode and double-diode models. In addition, effect of irradiation and temperature on I–V curves of PV modules is studied. For this purpose, two different modules called multi-crystalline (KC200GT) module and polycrystalline (SW255) are used. It should be noted that to challenge the performance of the proposed algorithm, it has been used to identify the parameters of a type of widely used module of fuel cell called proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Finally, comparing and analyzing of ISSA results with other similar methods shows the superiority of the presented method. Originality/value Changes in the spider’s movement process in the SSA toward the desired response have improved the algorithm’s performance. Higher accuracy and convergence rate, skipping local minimums, global search ability and search in a limited space can be mentioned as some advantages of this modified method compared to classic SSA.

3D path planning, routing algorithms and routing protocols for unmanned air vehicles: a review

2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (9) ◽  
pp. 1245-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samia Ben Amarat ◽  
Peng Zong
Keyword(s):  
Path Planning ◽  
Routing Protocols ◽  
Routing Algorithm ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Unmanned Air Vehicles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Uav Navigation ◽  
Air Vehicles

Purpose This paper aims to present a comprehensive review in major research areas of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) navigation, i.e. three degree-of-freedom (3D) path planning, routing algorithm and routing protocols. The paper is further aimed to provide a meaningful comparison among these algorithms and methods and also intend to find the best ones for a particular application. Design/methodology/approach The major UAV navigation research areas are further classified into different categories based on methods and models. Each category is discussed in detail with updated research work done in that very domain. Performance evaluation criteria are defined separately for each category. Based on these criteria and research challenges, research questions are also proposed in this work and answered in discussion according to the presented literature review. Findings The research has found that conventional and node-based algorithms are a popular choice for path planning. Similarly, the graph-based methods are preferred for route planning and hybrid routing protocols are proved better in providing performance. The research has also found promising areas for future research directions, i.e. critical link method for UAV path planning and queuing theory as a routing algorithm for large UAV networks. Originality/value The proposed work is a first attempt to provide a comprehensive study on all research aspects of UAV navigation. In addition, a comparison of these methods, algorithms and techniques based on standard performance criteria is also presented the very first time.

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