scholarly journals Advanced Control System for Grid-Connected SOFC Hybrid Plants: Experimental Verification in Cyber-Physical Mode

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Iacopo Rossi ◽  
Alessandro Sorce ◽  
Aristide F. Massardo
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Pid Control ◽  
Controller Design ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Hybrid Plant ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Point Data

This paper presents a model predictive controller (MPC) operating a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) gas turbine hybrid plant at end-of-life performance condition. Its performance was assessed with experimental tests showing a comparison with a proportional integral derivative (PID) control system. The hybrid system (HS) operates in grid-connected mode, i.e., at variable speed condition of the turbine. The control system faces a multivariable constrained problem, as it must operate the plant into safety conditions while pursuing its objectives. The goal is to test whether a linearized controller design for normal operating condition is able to govern a system which is affected by strong performance degradation. The control performance was demonstrated in a cyber-physical emulator test rig designed for experimental analyses on such HSs. This laboratory facility is based on the coupling of a 100 kW recuperated microturbine with a fuel cell emulation system based on vessels for both anodic and cathodic sides. The components not physically present in the rig were studied with a real-time model running in parallel with the plant. Model output values were used as set-point data for obtaining in the rig (in real-time mode) the effect of the fuel cell system. The result comparison of the MPC tool against a PID control system was carried out considering several plant properties and the related constraints. Both systems succeeded in managing the plant, still the MPC performed better in terms of smoothing temperature gradient and peaks.

scholarly journals Advanced Control System for Grid-Connected SOFC Hybrid Plants: Experimental Verification in Cyber-Physical Mode

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Iacopo Rossi ◽  
Alessandro Sorce ◽  
Aristide F. Massardo
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Pid Control ◽  
Controller Design ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Hybrid Plant ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Point Data

Abstract This paper presents a Model Predictive Controller (MPC) operating an SOFC Gas Turbine hybrid plant at end-of-life performance condition. Its performance was assessed with experimental tests showing a comparison with a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control system. The hybrid system operates in grid-connected mode, i.e. at variable speed condition of the turbine. The control system faces a multivariable constrained problem, as it must operate the plant into safety conditions while pursuing its objectives. The goal is to test whether a linearized controller design for normal operating condition is able to govern a system which is affected by strong performance degradation. The control performance was demonstrated in a cyber-physical emulator test rig designed for experimental analyses on such hybrid systems. This laboratory facility is based on the coupling of a 100 kW recuperated microturbine with a fuel cell emulation system based on vessels for both anodic and cathodic sides. The components not physically present in the rig were studied with a real-time model running in parallel with the plant. Model output values were used as set-point data for obtaining in the rig (in real-time mode) the effect of the fuel cell system. The result comparison of the MPC tool against a PID control system was carried out considering several plant properties and the related constraints. Both systems succeeded in managing the plant, still the MPC performed better in terms of smoothing temperature gradient and peaks.

Demonstration of Simultaneous Temperature and Power Control in a Simulation Facility for a SOFC Hybrid System

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Caratozzolo ◽  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
Aristide F. Massardo
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Experimental Plant ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Time Model ◽  
The University

This study is based on a complete hybrid system emulator test rig developed at the University of Genoa (Savona laboratory) by the Thermochemical Power Group (TPG). The plant is mainly composed of a 100 kW recuperated micro gas turbine coupled with both anodic and cathodic vessels for high temperature fuel cell emulation. The test rig was recently equipped with a real-time model for emulating components not physically present in the laboratory (SOFC block, reformer, anodic circuit, off-gas burner, cathodic blower). This model is used to fully evaluate thermodynamic and electrochemical performance related to solid oxide fuel cell systems. Using a UDP based connection with the test rig control and acquisition software, it generates a real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) facility for hybrid system emulation. Temperature, pressure and air mass flow rate at the recuperator outlet (downstream of the compressor) and rotational speed of the machine are inputs from the plant to the model. The turbine outlet temperature (TOT) calculated by the model is fed into the machine control system and the turbine electric load is moved to match the model TOT values. In this study various tests were carried out to characterize the interaction between the experimental plant and the real-time model; double step and double ramp tests of current and fuel provided the dynamic response of the system. The control system proved to be fast, compared to the slow thermal response of the SOFC stack, and also reliable. The hybrid systems operated at 90% of nominal power with electrical efficiency of about 56% based on natural gas LHV.

Pressurized SOFC System Fuelled by Biogas: Control Approaches and Degradation Impact

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Valentina Zaccaria ◽  
Konstantinos Kyprianidis
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Cell System ◽  
System Response ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Set Point ◽  
Additional Tool

Abstract This paper shows control approaches for managing a pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system fuelled by biogas. This is an advanced solution to integrate the high efficiency benefits of a pressurized SOFC with a renewable source. The operative conditions of these analyses are based on the matching with an emulator rig including a T100 machine for tests in cyber-physical mode (a real-time model including components emulated in the rig, operating in parallel with the experimental facility and used to manage some properties in the plant, such as the turbine outlet temperature set-point and the air flow injected in the anodic circuit). The T100 machine is a microturbine able to produce a nominal electric power output of 100 kW. So, the paper presents a real-time model including the fuel cell, the off-gas burner, and the recirculation lines. Although the microturbine components are planned to be evaluated with the hardware devices, the model includes also the T100 expander for machine control reasons, as detailed presented in the devoted section. The simulations shown in this paper regard the assessment of an innovative control tool based on the Model Predictive Control (MPC) technology. This controller and an additional tool based on the coupling of MPC and PID approaches were assessed against the application of Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers. The control targets consider both steady-state (e.g. high efficiency solutions) and dynamic aspects (stress smoothing in the cell). Moreover, different control solutions are presented to operate the system during fuel cell degradation. The results include the system response to load variations, and SOFC voltage decrease. Special attention is devoted to the fuel cell system constraints, such as temperature and time-dependent thermal gradient. Considering the simulations including SOFC degradation, the MPC was able to decrease the thermal stress, but it was not able to compensate the degradation. On the other hand, the tool based on the coupling of the MPC and the PID approaches produced the best results in terms of set-point matching, and SOFC thermal stress containment.

Real-Time Hardware-in-the-Loop Tool for a Fuel Cell Hybrid System Emulator Test Rig

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Caratozzolo ◽  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
Aristide F. Massardo
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Hybrid Systems ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Hardware In The Loop ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Time Model

The Thermochemical Power Group of the University of Genoa built a complete Hybrid System emulator test rig constituted by a 100 kW recuperated micro gas turbine, an anodic circuit (based on the coupling of a single stage ejector with a stainless steel vessel) and a cathodic modular volume (located between the recuperator outlet and combustor inlet). The system is sized to consider the coupling of the commercial micro turbine, operated at 62 kW load, and a planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) to reach the overall electrical power output of 450 kW. The emulator test rig has been recently linked with a real-time model of the SOFC block. The model is used to simulate the complete thermodynamic and electrochemical behavior of a high temperature fuel cell based on solid oxide technology. The test rig coupled with the model generates a real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) facility for hybrid systems emulation. The model is constituted by a SOFC module, an anodic circuit with an ejector, a cathodic loop with a blower (for the recirculation) and a turbine module. Temperature, pressure and air mass flow rate at recuperator outlet (downstream of the compressor) and rotational speed of the machine are inputs from the plant to the model. The turbine outlet temperature (TOT) calculated by the model is fed to the machine control system and the turbine electric load is moved to match the model TOT value. In this work different tests were carried out to characterize the interaction between the experimental plant and the real-time model; double step and double ramp tests of current and fuel characterized the dynamic response of the system. The mGT power control system proved to be fast enough, compared to the slow thermal response of the SOFC stack, and reliable. The hybrid systems was operated at 90% of nominal power with about 56% of electrical efficiency based on natural gas LHV.

Modeling, identification, and controller design for hydraulic anti-slip braking system

2018 ◽  
Vol 233 (4) ◽  
pp. 862-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bijan Moaveni ◽  
Pegah Barkhordari
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Controller Design ◽  
Longitudinal Velocity ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Identification Algorithm ◽  
Slip Ratio ◽  
Control Approach ◽  
The Road ◽  
Braking System ◽  
Road Condition

This study modeled and identified the hydraulic subsystem of an anti-slip braking system using input–output data of experiments on a test car. A simulation was prepared based on the results of the identification process, and it was validated by comparing the simulation results with those of the experimental tests. A novel control approach is introduced to obtain the optimal slip ratio during braking. This method does not require vehicle longitudinal velocity for the control algorithm but requires information about the road condition (dry, wet, etc.). An online identification algorithm to detect the road condition is introduced. The main benefits of the proposed control system in comparison with previous versions are improving the braking performance, simplicity of the control strategy, and considering the operational constraints which facilitate the control system implementation. The simulation and hardware-in-the-loop experimental results demonstrated the success of the modeling, identification, and proposed control approach.

Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell for Automotive Applications and Vehicle Modeling

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. O. Branda˜o ◽  
S. C. A. Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Control System ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Automotive Applications ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Super Capacitor ◽  
Vehicle Modeling ◽  
Direct Alcohol Fuel Cell ◽  
Alcohol Fuel

This paper describes the study made by COPPE/UFRJ which goal is the development of fuel cells systems for automotive applications. The study is divided in two parts. The first is the development of a PEM direct fuel cell. In addition a method for experimentally determine the possibility of using a fuel in a fuel cell is developed. The components of catalysts are also tested such as Tin and Ruthenium in a Platinum coated electrode. The second part is the control system for a fuel cell powered vehicle. The vehicle power is modeled from its actions and losses. A power of 80kW seems to be a great choice if made of 50kW from the fuel cell system and 30kW from an accumulator such as a pack of batteries or a super capacitor.

Transient Analysis of PEM Fuel Cell for Hybrid Vehicle Application

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Arsie ◽  
Alfonso Di Domenico ◽  
Cesare Pianese ◽  
Marco Sorrentino
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Hybrid Vehicle ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
State Variables ◽  
Accurate Analysis ◽  
Energy Flows

The paper focuses on the simulation of a hybrid vehicle with proton exchange membrane fuel cell as the main energy conversion system. A modeling structure has been developed to perform accurate analysis for powertrain and control system design. The models simulate the dynamics of the main powertrain elements and fuel cell system to give a sufficient description of the complex interaction between each component under real operating conditions. A control system based on a multi-level scheme has also been introduced and the complexity of control issues for hybrid powertrains have been discussed. Such a study has been performed to analyze the energy flows among the powertrain components. The results highlight that optimizing these systems is not a trivial task and the use of precise models can improve the powertrain development process. Furthermore, the behavior of system state variables and the influence of control actions on fuel cell operation have also been analyzed. Particularly, the effects of the introduction of a rate limiter on the stack power have been investigated, evidencing that a 2 kW/s rate limiter increased the system efficiency by 10% while reducing the dynamic performances of the powertrain in terms of speed error (i.e. 25 %).

scholarly journals Experimental Studies on a New Controller Design and Implementation in Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 796
Author(s):  
Ramasamy Govindarasu ◽  
Solaiappan Somasundaram
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell ◽  
Controller Design ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Set Point ◽  
Point Tracking ◽  
Time Operation ◽  
Direct Methanol ◽  
Methanol Fuel Cell

A dynamic model of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell is developed in the MATLAB platform. A newly proposed Coefficient Diagram based Proportional Integral Controller (CD-PIC) is designed and its parameters are calculated. The newly designed CD-PIC is implemented in a real time Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) experimental setup. Performances in real time operation of the Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) are evaluated. The performance of CD-PIC is obtained under tracking of set point changes. In order to evaluate the CD-PIC performances, most popular tuning rules based Conventional PI Controllers (C-PIC) are also designed and analyzed. Set point tracking is carried out for the step changes of ±10% and ±15% at two different operational points. The controller performances are analyzed in terms of Controller Performance Measuring (CPM) indices. The said performance measures indicate that the proposed CD-PIC gives the superior performances for set point changes and found very much robust in controlling DMFC.

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