The Control of Hydrogen Flow in Keeping with Load Changing at the PEMFC
The performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) under the fuel control system was investigated experimentally using dry hydrogen and oxygen gas. In this study, experiments have been carried out on the unit cell with the active area of 25cm2. Both sides of outflow lines were closed by valves. This investigation focuses on the low-power system which has a fuel flow control unit. The change of internal pressure in fuel cell and the checked system load were used as the control conditions for the solenoid valve. As the system loads were changed unexpectedly, the on/off control of fuel line was proposed as the way to supply hydrogen gas efficiently into the fuel cell. As a result, it was shown that the proposed procedures can display the load variation and increase the power request. Furthermore, this study could be beneficial for the fuel saving and the safety of fuel cell system.