An adaptive fuzzy logic controller (AFLC) for PEMFC fuel cell

Abstract

Among the various fuel cell technologies available for use in vehicular systems, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) has drawn the most attention due to its simplicity, viability, higher power density, and operation at lower temperatures. Due to these features, PEMFC is considered to be the most suitable technology for vehicular systems, industry, and other applications. As fuel cells are likely to be used in many future applications, great efforts have recently been made for their comprehension and design. This paper focuses on a 1.2WPEM fuel cell unit and develops the models of stack voltage and stack power. While the PEM fuel cell is a nonlinear process, it is very suitable to use fuzzy control to solve the control issue of the fuel cell. The stack output power can be controlled to a given value by using a variable universe fuzzy controller by controlling the input gas flow rate. In this paper, an FLC controller has been designed to control the voltage in the presence of fluctuations. The results of the implementation of this designed FLC controller on a dynamic electrochemical model of a small size 1.2 W, PEM fuel cell have been simulated by MATLAB Simulink and compared with a traditional PID controller. Simulation results show that good control effects can be achieved by using the adaptive fuzzy control system.