Dynamic model of PEM fuel cell with fuzzy logic controller

With the present global scenario of electricity generation, distribution and meeting the consumer demand, fuel cell power generation technology is gaining importance on its own way as it has many advantages like less environmental pollution, high efficiency, cleanliness and safe operation. Several research works have been done in this area of power generation. In this paper, a dynamic model of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) has been developed and the dynamic behaviors are studied. PEMFC has been chosen due its low operating temperature and little start-up time that is suitable for stationary applications like residential and transportation uses. This model uses fuzzy logic controller to replace conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller. Fuzzy logic control is used to the fuel flow to the reformer of the fuel cell system. The dynamic behavior of the fuel cell system with both the types of controllers i.e. FLC and PI are studied and compared. It is observed that the FLC functions as well as a PI controller and enhances the performance of the FC system. The dynamic behavior of the system is found to be more improved as compared with the PI controller system.