A Grid-Tied Fuel Cell Multilevel Inverter with Low Harmonic Distortions

As a result of global energy demand increase, concerns over global warming, and rapid exhaustion of fossil fuels, there is a growing interest in energy system dependence on clean and sustainable energy resources. Attractive power technologies include photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and biomass power. Fuel cells are also clean energy units that substitute power generators based on fossil fuels. They are employed in various applications, including transportation, stationary power, and small portable power. Fuel cell connections to utility grids require that the power conditioning units, interfacing the fuel cells and the grids, operate accordingly (by complying with the grid requirements). This study aims to model a centralised, single-stage grid-tied three-level diode clamped inverter interfacing a multi-stack fuel cell system. The inverter is expected to produce harmonic distortions of less than 0.5% and achieve an efficiency of 85%. Besides the grid, the system consists of a 1.54 MW/1400 V DC proton exchange membrane fuel cell, a 1.3 MW three-level diode clamped inverter with a nominal voltage of 600 V, and an inductance-capacitance-inductance (LCL) filter. Two case studies based on the load conditions are considered to assess the developed system’s performance further. In case 1, the fuel cell system generates enough power to fully meet this load and exports the excess to the grid. In the other case, a load of 2.5 MW was connected at the grid-tied fuel cell inverter’s output terminals. The system imports the grid’s power to meet the 2.5 MW load since the fuel cell can only produce 1.54 MW. It is demonstrated that the system can supply and also receive power from the grid. The results show the developed system’s good performance with a low total harmonic distortion of about 0.12% for the voltage and 0.07% for the current. The results also reveal that the fuel cell inverter voltage and the frequency at the point of common coupling comply with the grid requirements.

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Evaluation of Impurity Concentration Process and Mitigation Operation in Fuel Cell System for Using Biogas

Reactions ◽

10.3390/reactions2020010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 115-128

Author(s):

Yutaro Akimoto ◽

Yuta Minei ◽

Keiichi Okajima

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Process Simulation ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Cell System ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Low Carbon ◽

Fuel Cell System ◽

Recirculation System ◽

Concentration Of Impurities

For a low-carbon society, it is necessary to extract hydrogen for fuel cells from biogas rather than from fossil fuels. However, impurities contained in the biogas affect the fuel cell; hence, there is a need for system and operation methods to remove these impurities. In this study, to develop a fuel cell system for the effective utilization of biogas-derived hydrogen, the compositional change and concentration of impurities in the hydrogen recirculation system under actual operation were evaluated using process simulation. Then, the mitigation operation for performance degradation using simple purification methods was evaluated on the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) stack. In the process simulation of the hydrogen recirculation system, including the PEMFC stack, the concentration of impurities remained at a level that did not pose a problem to the performance. In the constant voltage test for a simulated gas supply of biogas-derived hydrogen, the conditions for applying the methanation reforming and air bleeding methods were analyzed. As a result, methanation reforming is more suitable for supplying biogas-containing CO to the PEMFC stack for continuous operation.

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Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of an Optimized Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System

Volume 15: Sustainable Products and Processes ◽

10.1115/imece2007-43558 ◽

2007 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. T. Outeiro ◽

R. Chibante ◽

A. S. Carvalho ◽

A. T. de Almeida

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Cell Model ◽

Pem Fuel Cell ◽

Energy System ◽

Cell System ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Sustainable Energy System

Hydrogen and fuel cells are widely regarded as the key to energy solutions for the 21st century. These technologies will contribute significantly to a reduction in environmental impact, enhanced energy security and development of new energy industries. Fuel cells operating with hydrogen have the potential to contribute to the transition for a future sustainable energy system with low-CO2 emissions. In this paper a dynamic PEM fuel cell model, implemented in Matlab/Simulink, is presented. In order to estimate the PEM fuel cell model parameters, an optimization based approach is used. The optimization is carried out using the Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm. This optimization process evolves converging to a minimum of the objective function. The flexibility and robustness of SA as a global search method are extremely important advantages of this method. A good agreement between experimental and simulated results is observed. This optimized PEM fuel cell model can significantly help designers of fuel cell systems by providing a tool to perform accurate design and consequently to improve system efficiency.

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Optimal Synthesis/Design of a Pem Fuel Cell Cogeneration System for Multi-Unit Residential Applications–Application of a Decomposition Strategy

Journal of Energy Resources Technology ◽

10.1115/1.1650390 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 126 (1) ◽

pp. 30-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Borja Oyarza´bal ◽

Michael R. von Spakovsky ◽

Michael W. Ellis

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Design Optimization ◽

Large Scale ◽

Unit Cost ◽

Pem Fuel Cell ◽

Energy System ◽

Cell System ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Fuel Cell System ◽

Synthesis Design

The application of a decomposition methodology to the synthesis/design optimization of a stationary cogeneration proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system for residential applications is the focus of this paper. Detailed thermodynamic, economic, and geometric models were developed to describe the operation and cost of the fuel processing sub-system and the fuel cell stack sub-system. Details of these models are given in an accompanying paper by the authors. In the present paper, the case is made for the usefulness and need of decomposition in large-scale optimization. The types of decomposition strategies considered are conceptual, time, and physical decomposition. Specific solution approaches to the latter, namely Local-Global Optimization (LGO) are outlined in the paper. Conceptual/time decomposition and physical decomposition using the LGO approach are applied to the fuel cell system. These techniques prove to be useful tools for simplifying the overall synthesis/design optimization problem of the fuel cell system. The results of the decomposed synthesis/design optimization indicate that this system is more economical for a relatively large cluster of residences (i.e. 50). Results also show that a unit cost of power production of less than 10 cents/kWh on an exergy basis requires the manufacture of more than 1500 fuel cell sub-system units per year. Finally, based on the off-design optimization results, the fuel cell system is unable by itself to satisfy the winter heat demands. Thus, the case is made for integrating the fuel cell system with another system, namely, a heat pump, to form what is called a total energy system.

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Fuzzy logic MPPT control algorithm for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells System

Algerian Journal of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development ◽

10.46657/ajresd.2021.3.1.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 03 (01) ◽

pp. 13-22

Author(s):

Badreddine KANOUNI ◽

◽

Abd Essalam BADOUD ◽

Saad MEKHILEF ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Cell System ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Maximum Power ◽

Fuel Cell System ◽

Maximum Power Point ◽

Power Point ◽

Exchange Membrane

Fuel cells output power depends on the operating conditions, including cell temperature, oxygen pressure, hydrogen pressure, tempureter . In each particular condition, there is only one unique operating point for a fuel cell system with the maximum output. Thus, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is needed to increase the efficiency of the PEMFC systems. In this paper an efficient method fuzzy logic controller is proposed for MPPT of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, boost converter. FLC adjusts the operating point of the PEM fuel cell to the maximum power by tuning of the boost converter duty cycle. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm, simulation results are sumulated in two cases, in normel condution and variation in temperature .the FLC algorithm with fast convergence, high accuracy and very low power fluctuations tracks the maximum power point of the fuel cell system

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Numerical Study and Optimisation of Channel Geometry and Gas Diffusion Layer of a PEM Fuel Cell

ASME 2012 10th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology ◽

10.1115/fuelcell2012-91269 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Surajudeen O. Obayopo ◽

Tunde Bello-Ochende ◽

Josua P. Meyer

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Diffusion Layer ◽

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Pem Fuel Cell ◽

Gas Diffusion ◽

Cell System ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Fuel Cell System ◽

Exchange Membrane

Fuel cell technology offers a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuel energy sources. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) in particular have become sustainable choice for the automotive industries because of its low pollution, low noise and quick start-up at low temperatures. Researches are on-going to improve its performance and reduce cost of this class of energy systems. In this work, a novel approach to optimise proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell gas channels in the systems bipolar plates with the aim of globally optimising the overall system net power performance at minimised pressure drop and subsequently low pumping power requirement for the reactant species gas was carried out. In addition, the effect of various gas diffusion layer (GDL) properties on the fuel cell performance was examined. Simulations were done ranging from 0.6 to 1.6 mm for channel width, 0.5 to 3.0 mm for channel depth and 0.1 to 0.7 for the GDL porosity. A gradient based optimisation algorithm is implemented which effectively handles an objective function obtained from a computational fluid dynamics simulation to further enhance the obtained optimum values of the examined multiple parameters for the fuel cell system. The results indicate that effective match of reactant gas channel and GDL properties enhance the performance of the fuel cell system. The numerical results computed agree well with experimental data in the literature. Consequently, the results obtained provide useful information for improving the design of fuel cells.

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Electrification of Remote Clinics by Photovoltaic – Hydrogen Fuel Cell System

International Journal of Thermal and Environmental Engineering ◽

10.5383/ijtee.10.01.008 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Cell System ◽

Experimental Results ◽

Scale Model ◽

Health Clinic ◽

Consumption Pattern ◽

Fuel Cell System

Palestinian health clinics in remote areas suffer mostly from lack of electric networks due to Israeli restrictions and lack of infrastructure fund from National Authorities. Most of these areas are far from the main medium voltage transmission lines, which makes it unfeasible to connect them with the main electric power grids. Therefore, renewable energy sources especially as solar and bio-waste can represent a more clean, reliable and feasible solution. Typical energy consumption pattern of a small health clinic is illustrated. Modeling of a proposed PV-Fuel Cell system will be provided. Experimental results obtained from a reduced scale model, built in the lab to give insight into the system technical details, will be presented. Fuel availability and clean energy production by fuel cell, giving its chemical reactions occurring inside the cell as well as production of electricity for unlimited time, are of the main system topics in this paper. The paper provides also a power management strategy for solar and fuel cell system to cover the power demands of a typical small clinic in rural areas of Palestine. The proposed control strategy is based on a logic-based method that considers the status of power supply sources and the load demands to combine and switch in between giving priority to the more stable source. In addition, experimental results for a scaled system built in the lab are presented. Finally, a financial comparison between using storage batteries and fuel cells for electrification of rural clinics is discussed in this paper. It was found that using of fuel cells is economically more feasible.

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Microbial fuel cells constructed from the integration of anaerobic and aerobic sanitary landfill site systems

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/880/1/012034 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 880 (1) ◽

pp. 012034

Author(s):

N Abdul Harris ◽

A Abdul Halim

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Food Waste ◽

Microbial Fuel Cells ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Cell System ◽

Fuel Cell System ◽

Result Show ◽

Aerobic And Anaerobic ◽

Double Chamber

Abstract The world’s main source of energy now is fossil fuels but the demand for power is increasing. In addition, the burning of fossil fuels produces harmful greenhouse gases and has a significant impact on the environment. The fuel cell system in this study is based on the aerobic and anaerobic integration system are used in most waste disposal methods in Malaysia. It is a system of electrochemistry results from the oxidation of organic matter that transfers electrons to carbon graphite This research is to study the effectiveness of the method generating electricity from micro-fuel cells produced from leachate wastewater and it is also conducted to identify microbial activity using a double chamber system. The food waste obtain is divided into double chambers which is aerobic and anaerobic. Digital readings using a multimeter are performed for ten to thirteen days continuously to obtain the highest reading results for voltage and electric current. The measurement of the highest reading result on the 11th day recorded a reading as high as 146.8 mV at 2000 mV while the current reached 28 μA at 2000 μA. This study has proven that there is the production of electrical sources from the activity of organisms present in food waste using microbial fuel cell systems. The result show that food waste and cattle manure produce the highest voltage and current. This has provided an opportunity to explore alternative ways of generating electricity according to the environment and conditions of each region.

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Load Response Characteristics of the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell for Individual Cold-Region Houses

Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology ◽

10.1115/1.2744054 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shin’ya Obara

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Transient Response ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Cell System ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Fuel Cell System ◽

Cold Region ◽

Response Characteristics ◽

Load Fluctuation ◽

Power Load

The power load pattern of an individual house is a set of loads that fluctuate rapidly. If it is controlled to follow a system at rapid load fluctuation, depending on the response characteristics of the system, the equipment may have poor power quality (voltage and frequency). When introducing a fuel cell system into a house, it is necessary to consider two transient response characteristics: electric power and heat power. Then, the details of the transient response characteristics of the fuel cell system composed from a reformer, a fuel cell, an inverter, a system interconnection device, etc., are investigated by experiment and numerical analysis. As a result, the control variables of the controllers and the relation to the response characteristics of the fuel cell system were clarified. Furthermore, the response characteristics of the system when accompanied by a load fluctuation of power were also clarified. The response characteristics when introducing the energy demand pattern of an individual cold-region house into a fuel cell system geothermal heat pump were analyzed. From this analysis result, the details of operation, including each auxiliary machine of the fuel cell system, were clarified.

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