Application of constrained predictive control strategies to a PEM fuel cell benchmark

This paper presents the application of different control predictive strategies for a stand-alone fuel cell. This PEM fuel cell can be considered a good benchmark since it is representative of state-of-the-art of PEM technology and is used by many research groups. The experiments are performed on a detailed nonlinear simulator of a fuel cell which has been validated experimentally. The model takes into account the main phenomena, including temperature dynamics, flooding and reactant flow dynamics. The predictive control considers the feedforward effect and takes physical constraints into account. The work analyzes the applications of three strategies: maximum efficiency, starvation prevention and air pump voltage tracking. Finally the simulated results are compared with experimental data of a proportional controller acting on the real plant.