Work

Health-conscious MPC for PEM fuel cells considering main degradation mechanisms of cathode catalyst

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The integration of fuel cell systems into hybrid electric vehicles presents unique challenges due to the highly dynamic power trajectories typical of automotive applications. The dynamic operation of fuel cells leads to performance degradation limiting the lifetime of fuel cells. This paper proposes a model predictive control strategy that optimizes the balance between fuel cell longevity, efficiency, and performance on the system level by adapting current, hydrogen flow, airflow, and the dew points at the inlet of the electrodes. Using a non-linear, physically motivated model that incorporates the key degradation mechanisms of the cathode catalyst layer, this approach provides a framework to optimize the operating strategy of the fuel cell system. By leveraging the information from the physical model, the controller can make health-conscious control decisions outperforming traditional and rule-based strategies.

Source: IFAC-PapersOnLine

DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2025.07.084

Authors: Johanna Bartlechner, Christoph Hametner, Stefan Jakubek

Institution: TU Wien

Language: English

Topic: Fuel Cells and Related Materials

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft