Diagnostic System Failure Functional Fuel Cells Through Virtual Instrumentation and Signal Processing

Published in: Engineering Innovations for Global Sustainability: Proceedings of the 14th Latin American and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology
Date of Conference: July 20-22, 2016
Location of Conference: San Jose, Costa Rica
Authors: Emilio Contreras
Yrvin Rivera
Alvin Rodríguez Cuevas
Refereed Paper: #221

Abstract:

This research project is based on fuel cells (FC) of proton exchange membrane (PEM), as an element of production of clean renewable energy. In this research is expected to develop algorithms and techniques to make diagnoses on the failures that occur in the cells operation, which are not predictable. It is stated that by using software and hardware, can be characterized and generate a model that can simulate the electrochemical behavior of the fuel cell. To achieve these objectives formulated a cell of 4.5 kw will be installed on a dedicated exclusively to study the behavior under controlled conditions of the operating parameters of the cell area. The test results will be captured using virtual instrumentation and recorded in a database integrated with a computer system which will be used to design and validate the model that defines the cell. As a strategy this research methodology is divided into three stages, this paper addresses the first two stages with their results and the third is planned as a future expansion. Expected results at this stage are: the establishment of a Renewable Energy Center located on the campus of Engineering at the University APEC, the installation of the fuel cell, the design and installation of virtual instrumentation to capture information to validate the findings of studies on the functional failures of the PEM cell