Fuel Cell Inlet Temperature Feedback Control Based on the Internal Model Principle

The thermal management system of fuel cells poses considerable challenges, particularly due to large time delays and nonlinear behaviors that complicate effective temperature control of the stack. In response to these challenges, this study introduces a novel fuel cell inlet temperature feedback control method based on the internal model principle, designed to enhance control accuracy. Simulations were conducted using MATLAB/Simulink® to evaluate the performance of both Proportional-Integral (PI) and internal model controllers through various tests, including step response and random condition assessments. The results demonstrated that the proposed internal model controller significantly outperformed traditional PID control in both static and dynamic scenarios. Specifically, during step response testing, the maximum temperature overshoot was minimized to just 1.5°C, with a steady-state error of less than 0.5°C. In dynamic performance testing, the inlet temperature exhibited a rapid response, achieving a maximum downward overshoot of 1.8°C while maintaining a steady-state error below 0.5°C. These findings validate the effectiveness of the internal model controller and highlight its potential for more precise parameter tuning. Ultimately, this advancement contributes to improved thermal management in fuel cell systems, ensuring optimal temperature control that is crucial for enhancing both the efficiency and longevity of fuel cells. The study underscores the promising application of this control method in future fuel cell technologies.