Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Thermal System Modeling and Control

The urgent issue of global warming and its adverse effects, including wildfires, water scarcity, and the spread of diseases, calls for concerted efforts to mitigate emissions and curb climate change. Among the effective strategies is the reduction of carbon emissions, for which hydrogen-powered proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems are vital. These systems generate electricity through chemical reactions involving hydrogen, with only water and heat as byproducts, hence their environmentally friendly nature. Fuel cell efficiency is higher than conventional systems depending on the type and the operating temperature. Proper thermal control is essential for maintaining high efficiency. This research paper aims to examine standard models of proton exchange membrane fuel cell thermal systems and suggest an efficient control approach. The system dynamics are derived from fundamental models, and an adaptive PID controller is simulated with MATLAB/Simulink. The paper also presents a comparative analysis between traditional PID control and adaptive PID, an advanced control technique.