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This paper extends the use of the versatile buck–boost converter to power manage a parallel hybrid system topology as an alternative to the well-known serial hybrid (SH) topology and the most recent series–parallel hybrid (SPH) topology. These systems utilize a proton exchange membrane fuel cell as the primary source in combination with an auxiliary storage device (ASD), and the selected converter is in charge of the power management between the sources (fuel cell or ASD) and the load. Therefore, the converter has a very important role in the system since it is responsible of ensuring a dc-bus voltage regulation with a safe and reliable operation of the entire system while also guarantee a high power conversion efficiency. Hence, this is the third topology, where the coupled-inductor dc–dc buck–boost converter is studied to demonstrate and exploit its advantages such as noninverting voltage step-up and step-down, high efficiency, regulation of input and output currents and low ripple values, and the ability to change from input to output current regulation loop, suddenly and smoothly, and vice versa. In order to determine which topology (SH, PH, or SPH) exhibits the highest power conversion efficiency under a certain load profile, it is important to ensure a fair efficiency comparison that will only reflect the properties of the topology and not its individual components. Therefore, the same design criteria, the same control, and the same components were used for all the studied topologies. Simulation and experimental results have been validated on a 48-V 1200-W dc bus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deepens in the study of the recently described diffusive proton exchange membrane fuel cell (FC) model. This model has demonstrated a close agreement to the experimental data provided by a real FC. The diffusive model is approximated by a finite-dimensional model that allows formulating an optimization problem of least square error type to estimate the model distribution. The diffusive model is identified by means of experimental measurements of current (input) and voltage (output) in the FC. It is well known that the FC static current–voltage characteristic has three operation regions, with only the ohmic region being strictly linear, so that it is very difficult to approximate the whole operation range with a linear model. Therefore, a new method is presented in this paper extending the diffusive approach by means of a linear parameter-varying model with the aim to overcome the limitations of linear time-invariant models. In addition, discrete-time expressions for the new diffusive model approach are derived. The obtained model is simple and can be used in systems that require real-time emulators or complex long-time simulations. Experimental results using the Ballard Nexa 1.2-kW FC illustrate the advantages of the new diffusive model approach with respect to previous reports. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, a serial–parallel hybrid (SPH) power system formed by a fuel cell (FC), an auxiliary storage device (ASD), and the current-controlled dc–dc converters responsible for the power management are realized by using the digital signal controller (DSC) TMS32F28335. The main energy management goal is to transfer energy from the sources (FC or ASD) to the load while ensuring dc bus voltage regulation and high power conversion efficiency. In addition, a safe and reliable operation of the system has to be achieved. The selected converter and its controller features are noninverting voltage step up and step down, high efficiency, regulation of input and output currents and low ripple values, and the ability to change from input to output current regulation loop, suddenly and smoothly, and vice versa. All these features allow it to be positioned in different FC system localizations and simplify the design of the master control. Simulation and experimental results have been validated on a 48-V 1200-W dc bus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The oxygen starvation phenomenon is a dangerous operating condition that reduces the lifetime of PEM fuel cells. The detection and prevention of this undesired phenomenon require estimation of the oxygen excess ratio \lambdaO2. The mathematical complexities of the reported methods for obtaining \lambdaO2 complicate its real-time calculation and require high-performance computational devices, which significantly increase the costs of the system. In this paper, a mutual information approach is used in obtaining a simplified mathematical model for the calculation of \lambdaO2. The usage of such a simplified model requires much less computational power for real-time monitoring of the variable \lambdaO2, while it provides comparable results to those obtained by using the complex model. Therefore, it represents a cost-effective solution, suitable for usage within applications that require high sampling frequencies, like emulators, converter and air compressor control loops, simulations, etc. In order to validate the accuracy of this simplified \lambdaO2 calculation model, a real-time monitoring system was built and experimentally tested using both the simplified and complex models. The matching experimental results validate the proposed simplification and justify the use of this simplified model within real-time monitoring applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous article has presented the members of the asymmetrical interleaved dc/dc switching converters family as very appropriate candidates to interface between photovoltaic or fuel cell generators and their loads because of their reduced ripple and increased current processing capabilities. After a review of the main modeling methods suitable for high-order converters operating, as the asymmetrical interleaved converters (AIC) ones, in discontinuous current conduction mode a full-order averaged model has been adapted and improved to describe the dynamic behavior of AIC. The excellent agreement between the mathematical model predictions, the switched simulations and the experimental results has allowed for satisfactory design of a linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) in a fuel-cell application example, which demonstrates the usefulness of the improved control-oriented modeling approach when the switching converters operate in discontinuous conduction mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An already published current control strategy for the coupled-inductor buck–boost converter is able to change its aim from controlling the input current to controlling the output current, and vice versa, depending on the instantaneous operation point and the applied current references. The main drawback of the two PI-based control implementation is its slow response when the control aim is changed from one current to the other. Due to the magnetic coupling, the converter’s control-to-input and control-to-output current small signal transfer functions exhibit similar first-order characteristics. Therefore, it is possible to transform the previous control scheme to a PI-based one that exhibits faster and, in certain cases, much faster transitions between input and output current control operation. The presented experiments also show that the steady-state behavior of the converter is unaffected by the new control implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel asymmetrical interleaved dc/dc switching converters family intended for photovoltaic and fuel cell applications is presented in this paper. The main requirements on such applications are small ripples in the generator and load, as well as high voltage conversion ratio. Therefore, interleaved structures and voltage multiplier cells have been asymmetrically combined to generate new converters, which inherently operate in discontinuous conduction mode. The novel family is derived from boost, buck-boost and flyback-based structures. This converter family is analyzed to obtain the design equations and synthesize a design process based on the typical requirements of photovoltaic and fuel cell applications. Finally, the experimental results validate the characteristics and usefulness of the asymmetrical interleaved converter family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) have been the focus of very intensive researches. Manufacturers of these alternative power sources propose a rejuvenation sequence after the FC has been operating at high power for a certain period of time. These rejuvenation methods could be not appropriate for the reactivation of the FC when it has been out of operation for a long period of time or after it has been repaired. Since the developed reactivation system monitors temperature, current, and the cell voltages of the stack, it could be also useful for the diagnostic and repairing processes. The limited number of published contributions suggests that systems developing reactivation techniques are an open research field. In this paper, an automated system for reactivating PEMFCs and results of experimental testing are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]