Linearized state space modeling of PEMFC for control applications

This paper focuses on the linearization study of the non-linear dynamic models of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). Matlab and Control Systems Toolbox have been employed to study the model. The FC stack voltage is dependent upon the current drawn from the cell, the change in partial pressures and the change in the amount of inlet flow of water vapor, hydrogen and air. A sudden change in the state space model inputs is applied to the developed model and the system´s step response is studied. The partial pressures of H₂, O₂ and H₂O are selected as the state variables of the system.