Control of a DC-DC Boost Converter for Fuel-Cell-Powered Marine Applications

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos I. Xiros ◽  
Georgios Tsakyridis ◽  
Marco Scharringhausen ◽  
Lars Witte
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Voltage Regulation ◽  
Power Converter ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Resistive Load ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Switching Model ◽  
Artificial Neural

Economic factors together with protection laws and policies pertaining to marine pollution drive research for improved power generation. Fuel cells, being fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, could provide a desirable option and suitable alternative to conventional propulsion systems based on fossil fuels or even nuclear fission. Fuel cells are becoming fast a mature technology and employed in many various other areas. Flexibility of special purpose watercraft, power autonomy and modularity can all benefit from the use of fuel cells. Specifically, proton exchange membrane fuel cells are considered among the most promising options for marine propulsion applications. Switching converters are the common interface intermitted between fuel cells and the load in order to provide a stable regulated voltage. DC-DC converters have been widely used since the advent of semiconductors. These devices are typically adopted to accomplish voltage regulation tasks for a multitude of applications: from renewable energy power-plants to military, medical and transportation systems. Nonetheless voltage regulators exhibit the need for consistent closed- and open-loop control. Most common approaches are PID controllers, sliding mode controllers and artificial neural networks that are considered in this work. An artificial neural network (ANN) is an adaptive, often nonlinear system that learns to perform a functional mapping from data. In our approach, a typical example of a fuel cell, a power converter outfitted with an ANN controller, and a resistive load configuration is investigated. Simulation studies are crucial in power electronics to essentially predict the behavior of the device before any hardware implementation. General requirements, design specification together with control strategies can be iteratively tested using computer simulations. This paper shows the simulation results of the full system behavior, as described above, under dynamic conditions. Initially, an open-loop simulation of the system is performed. Next, an appropriately trained ANN is incorporated to the switching model of the DC-DC converter to perform simulations for validation. Conversely, during design and calibration of the ANN controller, instead of the switching model of the DC-DC converter, a trained ANN equivalent is employed.

Highly proton conductive membranes based on carboxylated cellulose nanofibres and their performance in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Guccini ◽  
Annika Carlson ◽  
Shun Yu ◽  
Göran Lindbergh ◽  
Rakel Wreland Lindström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Surface Charge ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Membrane Thickness ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Cellulose Nanofibres ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The performance of thin carboxylated cellulose nanofiber-based (CNF) membranes as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells has been measured in-situ as a function of CNF surface charge density (600 and 1550 µmol g<sup>-1</sup>), counterion (H<sup>+</sup>or Na<sup>+</sup>), membrane thickness and fuel cell relative humidity (RH 55 to 95 %). The structural evolution of the membranes as a function of RH as measured by Small Angle X-ray scattering shows that water channels are formed only above 75 % RH. The amount of absorbed water was shown to depend on the membrane surface charge and counter ions (Na<sup>+</sup>or H<sup>+</sup>). The high affinity of CNF for water and the high aspect ratio of the nanofibers, together with a well-defined and homogenous membrane structure, ensures a proton conductivity exceeding 1 mS cm<sup>-1</sup>at 30 °C between 65 and 95 % RH. This is two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported values for cellulose materials and only one order of magnitude lower than Nafion 212. Moreover, the CNF membranes are characterized by a lower hydrogen crossover than Nafion, despite being ≈ 30 % thinner. Thanks to their environmental compatibility and promising fuel cell performance the CNF membranes should be considered for new generation proton exchange membrane fuel cells.<br>

Latest Trends and Challenges In Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Jourdani ◽  
Hamid Mounir ◽  
Abdellatif El Marjani
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Technical Advances ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Background: During last few years, the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) underwent a huge development. Method: The different contributions to the design, the material of all components and the efficiencies are analyzed. Result: Many technical advances are introduced to increase the PEMFC fuel cell efficiency and lifetime for transportation, stationary and portable utilization. Conclusion: By the last years, the total cost of this system is decreasing. However, the remaining challenges that need to be overcome mean that it will be several years before full commercialization can take place.This paper gives an overview of the recent advancements in the development of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cells and remaining challenges of PEMFC.

Submicro-pore containing poly(ether sulfones)/polyvinylpyrrolidone membranes for high-temperature fuel cell applications

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (16) ◽  
pp. 8847-8854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhibin Guo ◽  
Ruijie Xiu ◽  
Shanfu Lu ◽  
Xin Xu ◽  
Shichun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane

A novel submicro-pore containing proton exchange membrane is designed and fabricated for application in high-temperature fuel cells.

Fuel Cells vs. Competing Technologies

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supramanian Srinivasan ◽  
Lakshmi Krishnan ◽  
Andrew B. Bocarsly ◽  
Kan-Lin Hsueh ◽  
Chiou-Chu Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Direct Methanol ◽  
Energy Conversion Systems ◽  
Competing Technologies

Investments of over $1 B have been made for Fuel Cell R&D over the past five decades, for space and terrestrial applications; the latter includes military, residential power and heating, transportation and remote and portable power. The types of fuel cells investigated for these applications are PEMFCs (proton exchange membrane fuel cells), AFCs (alkaline fuel cells), DMFCs (direct methanol fuel cells), PAFCs (phosphoric acid fuel cells), MCFCs (molten carbon fuel cells), SOFCs (solid oxide fuel cells). Cell structure, operating principles, and characteristics of each type of fuel cell is briefly compared. The performances of fuel cells vs. competing technologies are analyzed. The key issues are which of these energy conversion systems are technologically advanced and economically favorable and can meet the lifetime, reliability and safety requirements. This paper reviews fuel cells vs. competing technologies in each application category from a scientific and engineering point of view.

scholarly journals Electrochemical Performance Improvement of the Catalyst of the Methanol Micro-Fuel Cell Using Carbon Nanotubes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kazemi Nasrabadi ◽  
Amir Ebrahimi-Moghadam ◽  
Mohammad Hosein Ahmadi ◽  
Ravinder Kumar ◽  
Narjes Nabipour
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Carbon Black ◽  
Oxidation Reaction ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Methanol Oxidation Reaction

Due to low working temperature, high energy density and low pollution, proton exchange fuel cells have been investigated under different operating conditions in different applications. Using platinum catalysts in methanol fuel cells leads to increasing the cost of this kind of fuel cell which is considered as a barrier to the commercialism of this technology. For this reason, a lot of efforts have been made to reduce the loading of the catalyst required on different supports. In this study, carbon black (CB) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been used as catalyst supports of the fuel cell as well as using the double-metal combination of platinum-ruthenium (PtRu) as anode electrode catalyst and platinum (Pt) as cathode electrode catalyst. The performance of these two types of electro-catalyst in the oxidation reaction of methanol has been compared based on electrochemical tests. Results showed that the carbon nanotubes increase the performance of the micro-fuel cell by 37% at maximum power density, compared to the carbon black. Based on thee-electrode tests of chronoamperometry and voltammetry, it was found that the oxidation onset potential of methanol for CNT has been around 20% less than CB, leading to the kinetic improvement of the oxidation reaction. The current density of methanol oxidation reaction increased up to 62% in CNT sample compared to CB supported one, therefore the active electrochemical surface area of the catalyst has been increased up to 90% by using CNT compared to CB which shows the significant rise of the electrocatalytic activity in CNT supported catalyst. Moreover, the resistance of the CNT supported sample to poisonous intermediate species has been found 3% more than CB supported one. According to the chronoamperometry test results, it was concluded that the performance and sustainability of the CNT electro-catalyst show remarkable improvement compared to CB electro-catalyst in the long term.

A Simplified Three-Dimensional CFD Approach for PEMFC and DMFC Design

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Hong ◽  
C. H. Cheng ◽  
K. Fei
Keyword(s):  
Transport Phenomenon ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Crossover Effect

This paper describes the fundamental theory, algorithm and computation methods to predict the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) using a simplified computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Based on the common transport phenomenon inside both fuel cells, the mass, momentum, energy and species equations were derived. Darcy laws were employed to simplify the momentum equation and also to linearize the species equation. The mathematical model was solved in various flow channel designs and some membrane electrode assembly (MEA) options. The major concern is mainly on the cathode side, in the PEMFC case, that dominates the performance deterioration due to potential loss in the flow field. In the case of DMFCs, both anode and cathode sides are simulated. The methanol crossover effect is also included. This virtual performance test bench plays an important role in the prototype fuel cell design. The computer aided design tool is proved to be useful in configuration designs. Additionally, it provides the detailed transport phenomenon inside the fuel cell stack.

scholarly journals Comparative Study on the Effects of Three Membrane Modification Methods on the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cell

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Fan ◽  
Junyi Shi ◽  
Tian Gao
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Purification ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Generation Capacity ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Proton exchange membrane is an important factor affecting the power generation capacity and water purification effect of microbial fuel cells. The performance of microbial fuel cells can be improved by modifying the proton exchange membrane by some suitable method. Microbial fuel cells with membranes modified by SiO2/PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride), sulfonated PVDF and polymerized MMA (methyl methacrylate) electrolyte were tested and their power generation capacity and water purification effect were compared. The experimental results show that the three membrane modification methods can improve the power generation capacity and water purification effect of microbial fuel cells to some extent. Among them, the microbial fuel cell with the polymerized MMA modified membrane showed the best performance, in which the output voltage was 39.52 mV, and the electricity production current density was 18.82 mA/m2, which was 2224% higher than that of microbial fuel cell with the conventional Nafion membrane; and the COD (chemical oxygen demand) removal rate was 54.8%, which was 72.9% higher than that of microbial fuel cell with the conventional Nafion membrane. Modifying the membrane with the polymerized MMA is a very effective way to improve the performance of microbial fuel cells.

scholarly journals Recent Progress in the Development of Aromatic Polymer-Based Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raja Rafidah R. S. ◽  
Rashmi W. ◽  
Khalid M. ◽  
Wong W. Y. ◽  
Priyanka J.
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Conductivity ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Proton Exchange Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Polymer Chains ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Aryl Ether

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) play a pivotal role in fuel cells; conducting protons from the anode to the cathode within the cell’s membrane electrode assembles (MEA) separates the reactant fuels and prevents electrons from passing through. High proton conductivity is the most important characteristic of the PEM, as this contributes to the performance and efficiency of the fuel cell. However, it is also important to take into account the membrane’s durability to ensure that it canmaintain itsperformance under the actual fuel cell’s operating conditions and serve a long lifetime. The current state-of-the-art Nafion membranes are limited due to their high cost, loss of conductivity at elevated temperatures due to dehydration, and fuel crossover. Alternatives to Nafion have become a well-researched topic in recent years. Aromatic-based membranes where the polymer chains are linked together by aromatic rings, alongside varying numbers of ether, ketone, or sulfone functionalities, imide, or benzimidazoles in their structures, are one of the alternatives that show great potential as PEMs due totheir electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal strengths. Membranes based on these polymers, such as poly(aryl ether ketones) (PAEKs) and polyimides (PIs), however, lack a sufficient level of proton conductivity and durability to be practical for use in fuel cells. Therefore, membrane modifications are necessary to overcome their drawbacks. This paper reviews the challenges associated with different types of aromatic-based PEMs, plus the recent approaches that have been adopted to enhance their properties and performance.

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