Linear-quadratic-integral controller for a solid oxide fuel cell

In order to operate solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems it is necessary to investigate their dynamic characteristics through modeling and simulations. Here we use a low order non linear state space model of a tubular SOFC developed in simulink [1]. Input variables of the model are fuel and air inlet pressures. The voltage output of the SOFC and the cell temperature are the model outputs. Other variables such as the current demand, the fuel and air inlet temperatures are considered as disturbances. The voltage output of the cell must be controlled and stabilized to reduce the effect of the disturbances. A linear quadratic integral controller has been designed using matlab to establish cell voltage control.