This paper discusses the possibility to use the current ripple introduced by switch mode power converters for low-cost monitoring of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) state-of-health, suitable for commercial applications that cannot afford dedicated instrumentation. In more details, an estimate of the ohmic resistance, which is a good indicator of the membrane water content, can be obtained from the high-frequency ripple response by data processing in the frequency domain, while lower frequency ripple at 100/120 Hz (when present) is in the typical frequency range of activation processes. All the available impedance estimates, together with the dc voltage measurement, can be used to promptly detect FC drying and flooding, that are the two opposite failure modes as far as water balance is concerned. The proposed diagnostic approach is tested on a single PEM FC in drying and flooding conditions, by emulating three-phase and single-phase inverter ripples by means of an electronic load.

Diagnosis of PEM Fuel Cell Drying and Flooding Based on Power Converter Ripple

DOTELLI, GIOVANNI;FERRERO, ROBERTO;GALLO STAMPINO, PAOLA;LATORRATA, SAVERIO;TOSCANI, SERGIO
2014-01-01

Abstract

This paper discusses the possibility to use the current ripple introduced by switch mode power converters for low-cost monitoring of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) state-of-health, suitable for commercial applications that cannot afford dedicated instrumentation. In more details, an estimate of the ohmic resistance, which is a good indicator of the membrane water content, can be obtained from the high-frequency ripple response by data processing in the frequency domain, while lower frequency ripple at 100/120 Hz (when present) is in the typical frequency range of activation processes. All the available impedance estimates, together with the dc voltage measurement, can be used to promptly detect FC drying and flooding, that are the two opposite failure modes as far as water balance is concerned. The proposed diagnostic approach is tested on a single PEM FC in drying and flooding conditions, by emulating three-phase and single-phase inverter ripples by means of an electronic load.
2014
ELETTRICI
Diagnostics, fuel cell (FC), impedance spectroscopy, power converter, water management
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
06811170.pdf

Accesso riservato

: Publisher’s version
Dimensione 1.86 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.86 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri
Diagnosis of PEM Fuel Cell Drying and Flooding_11311-851734_Toscani.pdf

accesso aperto

: Post-Print (DRAFT o Author’s Accepted Manuscript-AAM)
Dimensione 1.76 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.76 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/851734
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 46
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 38
social impact