Model predictive control for oxygen starvation in air supply system of PEM fuel cell

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack is considered as promising vehicle power source because of its outstanding performance and compact structure. The supply of oxygen to the cathode is one of the key factors in operation of a fuel cell stack. When current is drawn from a fuel cell, the air supply system should replace the reacted oxygen. Otherwise the cathode will suffer from oxygen starvation which damages the stack and limits the power response of the fuel cell. A model predictive control is designed to regulate the excess oxygen ratio in the cathode during step changes in fuel cell current demand. Simulation results indicate that the design system can improve the dynamic performance and gain well control effect as well as satisfying the constraints.