Fault detection and isolation of PEM fuel cell system by analytical redundancy

This paper presents a procedure of fault detection and isolation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell based on its mathematic model by analytical redundancy approach. The model is linearized into eight state equations representation. The transient phenomena captured in the model include the compressor dynamics, the flow characteristics, mass and energy conservation and manifold fluidic mechanics. Analytical redundancy relations (ARR) are generated and numerical simulation results are given. Major faults such as flooding, drying within fuel cells, and compressor over-voltage are detected and isolated. The diagnosability of fuel cell system is also obtained.