The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics (전력전자학회논문지)

The Korean Institute of Power Electronics (전력전자학회)
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Control of Small PEM Fuel Cell Stack by a Microprocessor

마이크로프로세서를 이용한 소형 PEM 연료전지 스택의 제어

  • Published : 2008.12.20
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Abstract

In this paper, control of small PEM(Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell stack by a microprocessor is introduced. The water management of fuel cell stack inside, a key technique in fuel cell control, can be achieved by adjusting the required air flow for fuel and cooling, and by purging the excessive water from the stack. It is very important to precisely control the BOS(Balance of Stack) since the stable operation of the fuel cell system mainly depends on it. In this study the fuel efficiency of the system is improved by the control of the system based on the measured air flow and purge cycle during the optimal operation and its effectiveness is proved by the experiments. The operating stability of the system is improved by the developed controller using a microprocessor and it is expected to be widely used for the control of small PEM fuel cell stack.

본 논문에서는 소형 PEM(Proton Exchange Membrane) 연료전지 스택의 마이크로프로세서를 이용한 제어에 관하여 소개한다. 연료전지 제어의 핵심 기술인 스택 내부의 수분 관리는 부하에 의해 요구되는 연료와 온도에 따른 냉각용 공기의 유량을 적절하게 조절하고, 잉여수분을 스택으로부터 배출시킴으로써 성취된다. 이러한 주변장치(BOS: Balance of Stack)의 제어는 시스템의 안정적인 운전을 좌우하는 중요한 요소이기 때문에 이를 정확하게 제어하는 것이 매우 중요하다. 본 연구에서는 최적 운전조건에서 공기유량과 퍼지주기를 측정하고 이를 바탕으로 BOS를 제어함으로써 BOS의 소비전력을 최소화하여 연료 효율을 향상시킬 수 있었으며, 이를 실험을 통해 검증하였다. 마이크로프로세서를 이용하여 개발된 제어기는 시스템의 운전 안정성을 향상시켜 소형 연료전지 스택의 제어에 널리 사용될 것으로 기대된다.

Keywords

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