Systems and methods for acquisition, parameterization, and validation of fuel cell polarization data
AssigneeGreenlight Innovation Corporation
InventorsAmir Masoud Niroumand, Michael Hermann Eikerling, Mark Randall Olfert, Motahareh Safiollah
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and techniques are provided for acquiring fuel cell polarization data, obtaining fuel cell polarization parameters from the fuel cell polarization data, and validating the reliability of the obtained data and parameters. In some aspects methods for acquiring and parameterizing proton exchange membrane fuel cell polarization data include measuring at least one current-voltage point for an operating fuel cell, and determining at least one polarization parameter of the fuel cell by evaluating a closed form solution using the at least one current-voltage point.
Claims18
A test method for evaluating performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell assembly, said test method comprising:
- supplying reactants to said fuel cell assembly and measuring an open circuit voltage value of said fuel cell assembly;
- using said measured open circuit voltage value to determine by a processor at least a first set point voltage or current, a second set point voltage or current, and a third set point voltage or current to be used in said test method;
- while supplying reactants to said fuel cell assembly and operating said fuel cell assembly at said first set point voltage or current to produce electrical power, measuring fuel cell current at said first set point voltage or measuring fuel cell voltage at said first set point current, respectively, to obtain a first voltage-current data point;
- while supplying reactants to said fuel cell assembly and operating said fuel cell assembly at said second set point voltage or current to produce electrical power, measuring fuel cell current at said second set point voltage or measuring fuel cell voltage at said second set point current, respectively, to obtain a second voltage-current data point;
- while supplying reactants to said fuel cell assembly and operating said fuel cell assembly at said third set point voltage or current to produce electrical power, measuring fuel cell current at said third set point voltage or measuring fuel cell voltage at said third set point current, respectively, to obtain a third voltage-current data point;
- determining at least four polarization parameters of said fuel cell assembly, wherein determining said at least four polarization parameters comprises evaluating by said processor a closed form solution using at least said measured open circuit voltage value, said first voltage-current data point, said second voltage-current data point and said third voltage-current data point;
- and
- outputting at least one indicator relating to performance of said fuel cell assembly based at least in part on at least one of said at least four polarization parameters.
A non-transitory computer readable medium having encoded thereon computer program code that is executable by a processor and that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor:
- to cause a controller to supply reactants to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell assembly and, while said reactants are being supplied to said fuel cell assembly, to measure an open circuit voltage value of said fuel cell;
- to determine, using said measured open circuit voltage value, at least a first set point voltage or current, a second set point voltage or current and a third set point voltage or current to be used in said test method;
- to cause said controller to supply reactants to said fuel cell assembly and operate said fuel cell assembly at said first set point voltage or current to produce electrical power and, while said fuel cell assembly is operating at said first set point voltage or current, to measure a first fuel cell current or voltage, respectively, to obtain a first voltage-current data point;
- to cause said controller to supply reactants to said fuel cell assembly and operate said fuel cell assembly at said second set point voltage or current to produce electrical power and, while said fuel cell assembly is operating at said second set point voltage or current, to measure a second fuel cell current or voltage, respectively, to obtain a second voltage-current data point;
- to cause said controller to supply reactants to said fuel cell assembly and operate said fuel cell assembly at said third set point voltage or current to produce electrical power and, while said fuel cell assembly is operating at said third set point voltage or current, to measure a third fuel cell current or voltage, respectively, to obtain a third voltage-current data point;
- to determine at least four polarization parameters of said fuel cell assembly by evaluating a closed form solution using at least said measured open circuit voltage value, said first voltage-current data point, said second voltage-current data point and said third voltage-current data point;
- and
- to output at least one indicator relating to performance of said fuel cell assembly based at least in part on at least one of said at least four polarization parameters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.