Enhanced control approach for air pressure regulation in supply manifold of PEM fuel cell

Abstract

The paper aims to design of effective control strategy for regulation and control of supply mainfold pressure to the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell cathode electrode using Smith Predictor control structure. A fractional/non-integer filter cascaded with a fractional order Proportional Integral (FOPI) is suggested for the enhanced implementation of PEM fuel cell by controlling the supply manifold pressure. The system performance under nominal and perturbed conditions is analyzed by using error indices i.e. Integral Absolute Error (IAE), Integral Square Error (ISE) and Total Variance. From the process response and performance indices, it is evident that the suggested method offers enhanced setpoint tracking and disturbance rejection. Simulation studies are carried out in MATLAB software.