• Journal of Power Electronics
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.336-342
• /
• 2007

This paper presents the development of a fuel cell dynamic simulator using a programmable DC power supply and LabVIEW graphical user interface. The developed simulator closely describes the static and dynamic characteristics of an actual proton exchange membrance fuel cell (PEMFC). The experimental results are provided to verify the operation of the simulator. The developed simulator can be used as a convenient and economic alternative to an actual fuel cell for developing and testing a fuel cell power conditioning system.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
• /
• v.58 no.3
• /
• pp.531-538
• /
• 2009

The paper deals with an operation scheme to improve the forecasting of output range and to regulate the active power output of the hybrid system consisting of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) and a fuel-cell. The power output of the wind turbine fluctuates as the wind speed varies and the slip power between the rotor circuit and power converter varies as the rotor speed change. The power fluctuation of a DFIG makes its operation difficult when a DFIG is connected to grid. A fuel cell system can be individually operated and adjusted output power, hence the wind turbine and fuel cell hybrid system can overcome power fluctuation by using a fuel-cell power control. In this paper, a fuel-cell is performed to regulate the active power output in comparison with the regulated active power output of a DFIG. And it also improves the forecasting of output range. Based on PSCAD/EMTDC tools, a DFIG and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC) is simulated and the dynamics of the output power in hybrid system are investigated.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.401-410
• /
• 2019

The operating conditions greatly impact the efficiency and performance of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems and must be properly managed to ensure better performance and efficiency. In particular, small variations in operating conditions interact with each other and affect the performance and efficiency of PEM fuel cell systems. Thus, a systematic study is needed to understand how small changes in operating conditions affect the system performance and efficiency. In this paper, an automotive fuel cell system (including cell stack and balance of plant [BOP]) with a turbo-blower was modeled using MATLAB/Simulink platform and the sensitivity analyses of main operating parameters were performed using the developed system model. Effects of small variations in four main parameters (stack temperature, cathode air stoichiometry, cathode pressure, and cathode relative humidity) on the system efficiency were investigated. The results show that cathode pressure has the greatest potential impact on the sensitivity of fuel cell system efficiency. It is expected that this study can be used as a basic guidance to understand the importance of achieving accurate control of the fuel cell operating conditions for the robust operation of automotive PEM fuel cell systems.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2008.07a
• /
• pp.1174-1175
• /
• 2008

A operation scheme to regulate the active power output of the hybrid system consisted of a doubly fed induction generator(DFIG) and a fuel-cell are presented. The power output of the wind turbine fluctuates as the wind speed varies and the slip power between the rotor circuit and power converter varies as the rotor speed change. A fuel cell system can be individually operated and adjusted output power. In this paper, a fuel-cell is performed to regulate the active output power in comparison with the active power output of a DFIG. Based on PSCAD/EMTDC power system tools, we simulated a DFIG and a fuel cell and investigated about dynamics of the output power in hybrid system.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.1018-1026
• /
• 2005

The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system consisting of stack and balance of plant (BOP) was modeled in a MATLAB/Simulink environment. High-pressure operating (compressor type) and low-pressure operating (air blower type) fuel cell systems were con­sidered. The effects of two main operating parameters (humidity and the pressure of the supplied gas) on the power distribution characteristics of BOP and the net system efficiency of the two systems mentioned above were compared and discussed. The simulation determines an optimum condition regarding parameters such as the cathode air pressure and the relative humidity for maximum net system efficiency for the operating fuel cell systems. This study contributes to get a basic insight into the fuel cell stack and BOP component sizing. Further research using muli­object variable optimization packages and the approach developed by this study can effectively contribute to an operating strategy for the practical use of fuel cell systems for vehicles.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2008.11b
• /
• pp.77-78
• /
• 2008

Recently, a fuel cell is remarkable for new generation system. The fuel cell generation system converts the chemical energy of a fuel directly into electrical energy. The fuel cell generation is characterized by low voltage and high current. For connecting to utility, it needs both a step up converter and an inverter. The step up converter makes DC link and the inverter changes DC to AC. In this paper, full bridge converter and the single phase inverter are designed and installed for fuel cell. Simulation and experiment verify that fuel cell generation system could be applied for the distributed generation. In this paper, the 1.5kW active clamp current-fed full bridge converter employing MOSFETs is operated to discharge the battery whereas a voltage-fed half bridge converter employing IGBTs is operated to charge the battery.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
• /
• 2011.04a
• /
• pp.219-221
• /
• 2011

This paper reports the development trend of small fuel cell unmanned aerial vehicles. Development method of a fuel cell propulsion system for small unmanned aerial vehicles is proposed and discussed, such as the lightweight fuel cell stack development, liquid fuel-based hydrogen storage/generation, and fuel cell system technology.

• Current Industrial and Technological Trends in Aerospace
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.95-105
• /
• 2009

Fuel cells are applied to the propulsion system of aircraft based on environmental-friendly characteristics with low noise and zero emission of CO2, currently many kinds of UAV and small manned aircraft equipped with fuel cells are being developed. Fuel cells for aircraft typically classified into PEMFC(Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) type and SOFC(Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) type and the system is developed to adapt missions and operational conditions of aircraft. For UAV, various types of aircraft mostly based on PEM fuel cell technology are investigated for military or commercial uses, and the stability and endurance of system will be improved. For small manned aircraft, many researches are carried out to substitute the propulsion system by fuel cell, also some developments for the higher performance of APU of large commercial aircraft to apply fuel cells are in progress. In the future, a fuel cell aircraft will be expected to improve the reliability and efficiency with higher power density.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
• /
• 2007.04a
• /
• pp.87-90
• /
• 2007

Fuel cell power system was developed for high-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Liquid chemical hydride was selected as a fuel due to its high energy density. Liquid storage of the fuel is an ideal alternative solution of the existing compressed hydrogen storage. The fueling system that extracts hydrogen from chemical hydride consists of catalytic reactor, micro-pump, fuel cartridge, separator, and controller. The fuel cell power system including the fueling system and the fuel cell that generates electricity was integrated into a proposed UAV. The performance verification of the fuel cell power system was performed to use as a power plant of the UAV.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.197-204
• /
• 2008

DMFC(Direct Methanol Fuel Cell) is one of promising candidates for power sources of small mobile IT devices like notebook, cell phone, and so on. Efficient operation of fuel cell system is very important for long-sustained power supply because of limited fuel tank size. It is necessary to investigate operation characteristics of fuel cell stack for optimal control of DMFC system. The generated voltage was modeled according to various operating condition; methanol concentration, stack temperature, and load current. It is inevitable for methanol solution at anode to cross over to cathode through MEA(membrane electrode assembly), which reduces the system efficiency and increases fuel consumption. In this study, optimal operation conditions are proposed by analyzing stack performance model, cross-over phenomenon, and system efficiency.