Performance Limitations of Air Flow Control in Power-Autonomous Fuel Cell Systems

We quantify here the performance limitations of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with a compressor-driven air supply under transient loading conditions. We first model and analyze the dynamics of the fuel cell system equipped with a compressor, which for power autonomy must be powered by the fuel cell itself. Experimental data are used to qualitatively verify the fuel cell system model. Several control architectures for regulating oxygen into the fuel cell stack are proposed to demonstrate the limitations both analytically and through simulations