Identification of essential sensors for a PEMFC system in automotive applications

Abstract

This paper is on the subject of identification of essential sensors for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) system in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) application. Sensors are classified as physical sensors and gas sensors. Physical sensors are used to detect pressure, temperature, mass flow rate and relative humidity of the fuel cell. Gas sensors consist of the hydrogen leakage detector and the environment sensor system. The environment sensor system detects gas contaminations, e.g., carbon dioxide in the air. Depending on the sensor development review and the sensor specifications comparisons, sensors owned low cost, small volume, fast response, high resolution, excellent stability and durability are suitable for FCEV application. Some future work on fuel cell sensor-set size optimization is also suggested to facilitate the move towards commercialization.