Dynamic behavior of fuel cell motorcycle power train
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Date
2011
Authors
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Publisher
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract
An accurate and reliable fuel cell power train simulation model is needed to design a fuel cell powered motorcycle having the required maximum speed, cruising speed, acceleration and efficiency. In this study a fuel cell power train simulation model was developed to investigate the performance of the 8.5 kW fuel cell motorcycle power train under variable dynamic loads. The power train of the fuel cell motorcycle consists of fuel cell system, battery, ultra capacitor, main traction motor, booster motor, and power conditioner. Mathematical models have been developed for each power train subsystem to study their characteristics. The fuel cell stack performance was modeled using empirical polarization curve and the parameters of the polarization curve namely Tafel slope, iloss, i0, and area specific resistance of the fuel cell stack were determined using experimental data. Parameters of the main traction motor namely torque constant and armature resistance were also determined experimentally using acceleration test on the dynamometer. The performance of lithium ion battery was found to behave according to Peukert law. Peukert coefficient (kp) was determined from the battery discharging data for different discharge currents. Each subsystem in the power train was modeled individually and validated using experimental data. A master computer program for the fuel cell motorcycle power train simulator was developed to integrate the sub-components models using Labview platform to study their interactions under variable dynamic loads. The model was validated using experimental data obtained by running the fuel cell power train on the dynamometer using drive cycle from Worldwide Harmonized Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC) . The results showed that the fuel cell power train simulator model was able to present the dynamic behavior of each component in the fuel cell power train in terms of power, voltage, current, regenerative braking, speed and efficiency. The simulator was then used to predict the performance of a fuel cell motorcycle which runs on the Highway Fuel Economy Driving drive cycle (HWYCOL). In conclusion, the model based simulator developed in this work is capable to present and to predict the fuel cell motorcycle power train behavior under dynamic condition.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D (Chemical Engineering))
Keywords
Fuel cells—Design and construction, Automobiles—Power trains, Fuel cell vehicles—Research