Session: 06-04 Fuel Cell Driven Cycles I

Paper Number: 129090

129090 - Dynamic Performance Analysis of a Turbocharged PEMFC System 

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems are considered among the most promising technologies to reduce pollutant emissions and achieve decarbonization of the transportation and power sectors, thanks to their high efficiency and use of hydrogen as fuel. Thermochemical Power Group (University of Genoa) recently proposed an innovative layout based on the integration of two PEMFC stacks with a turbocharger (TC), which can reach efficiencies up to almost 60%. In this system, the air flow to the cathode is pressurized by the compressor of the TC, leading to an improvement of the PEMFC performance. Moreover, the PEMFC outlet flow expands in the turbine, providing part of the mechanical power required by the compressor and reducing the overall balance of plant consumption. Previous studies demonstrated that this solution requires ~23% less fuel cell area to obtain the same nominal power and efficiency of a traditional PEMFC system, making it very interesting for transportation applications. At the ASME Turbo Expo 2023, the authors presented a detailed dynamic model of the TC-PEMFC system, which was developed in Matlab-Simulink including all the main components of the cathode, anode and cooling circuits.  In the present study, this model is used to characterize the dynamic performance of the system, considering the fluid-dynamic delay caused by the volume of the various components, as well as the effect of their thermal capacity. Several control logics will be implemented on the model to keep the operative parameters of the TC-PEMFC within an acceptable range: stack temperature and pressure, hydrogen concentration in the anode, cathode air mass flow and humidity. Then, the dynamic model will be used to simulate the performance of the TC‑PEMFC system during different power load ramps. From the results of these simulations, it will be possible to assess the effectiveness of each controller and to verify the compliance of all the system constraints. In fact, there are multiple parameters that are not directly controlled, but that must be carefully monitored to ensure the proper operation of the system. Among them, it is worth mentioning the compressor surge margin, the PEMFC voltage and the electrical motor torque. The final goal is to understand which phenomena have the strongest impact on the transient behavior of the system and which parameters determine its capability to follow fast load variations. In conclusion, the maximum load variation ramp rate will be identified and possible improvements of the control logics will be proposed.

Presenting Author: Luca Mantelli Università degli Studi di Genova

Presenting Author Biography: Luca Mantelli is a researcher of the Thermochemical Power Group of the University of Genoa (Italy). He obtained his PhD in 2021 with a thesis on "Performance analysis and dynamics of innovative SOFC hybrid systems based on turbocharger-derived machinery". His research activities focus on dynamic simulation and control of innovative energy plants, in particular fuel cell systems.

Authors:

Luca Mantelli Università degli Studi di Genova
Federico Iester Università degli Studi di Genova
Silvia Crosa Università degli Studi di Genova
Michele Bozzolo Rolls-Royce Power Systems
Loredana Magistri Università degli Studi di Genova
Aristide Massardo Università degli Studi di Genova