Anodic Cold Start Control of PEM Fuel Cell System With Temperature-Dependent Solenoid Valve Model

Abstract

Precise supply control is one of the most critical challenges for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) system to implement rapid cold start. Focusing on the low-temperature adaptability, this article proposed a model-based control framework for PEM FC hydrogen system. First, the challenge in anodic cold start control is revealed and summarized through cold start experiments. According to the investigated phenomenon, the solenoid valve model is established with the distinguished characteristic of temperature dependent. It contains three subsystems, namely, the electromagnetic, mechanical, and fluid subsystems, which couples the temperature variable with the electromagnetic part and finally affects the controlled pressure. To copy with this challenge, a model-based feedforward term is incorporated in control framework based on the established model. Moreover, the proposed model-based framework is validated under different strategies, temperatures, and controllers. The resultant model has high accuracy with the error of 3.84%, and the proposed control framework suppresses the pressure overshoot with a 16.75% improvement. The satisfactory results illustrate the effectiveness of the model-based approach in anode control to enhance the cold start capability and durability.