Systematic control structure design of a Fuel Processor System

LUCAS NIETO DEGLIUOMINI; DAVID ZUMOFFEN; MARTA BASUALDO; RACHID OUTBIB

Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Conferencia; International Conference on Renewable Energy: Generation and Applications; 2010

UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

A systematic approach is applied to synthesize the control structure of a complete plant of a Fuel Processor System that reforms bio-ethanol to hydrogen-rich mixture to feed the anode of a fuel cell stack, along with a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell. First, a discrete state-space model is obtained for then selecting the controlled variables that can guarantee better performance. The pairing between controlled and manipulated variables is done by means of a genetic algorithm optimization in order to get the best Relative Gain Array possible. Then, the control structure is tested against changes in disturbances and setpoints, under different standard driving cycles. The resulting control structure is capable of keeping the plant under desired conditions for the testeddisturbances and operating conditions modifications