Abstract
Increasing demands on pollution reduction is driving innovation on clean energy sources. Among these, fuel cells are regarded as one of the most promising technologies, due to their high efficiency, compactness, and reliability. Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that generate electrical current from hydrogen and oxygen. In this chapter, the basic operation of a fuel-cell-based generation system is analysed, and the main technologies used at each of its subsystems are reviewed. A brief history of fuel cell development is summarised, from early experiences in the 19th century to the space shuttle and automotive applications. Closed-loop operation of fuel cell (FC) systems arises as a way to improve performance and reliability. In particular, robust control techniques based on sliding modes are proposed as suitable alternatives to provide performance under model uncertainty and external disturbances, usually present in these complex systems. Finally, the general organisation of the book is briefly outlined.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Collecting the history of fuel cells. Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Das D, Veziroglu TN (2001) Hydrogen production by biological processes: a survey of literature. Int J Hydrog Energy 26:13–28
EG&G Technical Services, Inc (2004) Fuel cell handbook, 7th edn. U.S. Department of Energy-Office of Fossil Energy, Morgantown
Haryanto A, Sandum F, Murali N, Adhikari S (2005) Current status of hydrogen production techniques by steam reforming of ethanol: a review. Energy Fuels 19:2098–2106.http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/index.htm. Cited 4 Feb 2011
Kotay SM, Das D (2008) Bio-hydrogen as a renewable energy resource—prospects and potentials. Int J Hydrog Energy 33:258–263
Kunze J, Stimming U (2009) Electrochemical versus heat-engine energy: a tribute to Wilhelm Ostwald’s visionary statements. Angew Chem Int Ed 48:9230–9237
Scott JH (2006) The development of fuel cell technology for electric power generation: from NASA’s manned space program to the “hydrogen economy”. Proc IEEE 94:1815–1825
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag London Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kunusch, C., Puleston, P., Mayosky, M. (2012). Introducing Fuel Cells. In: Sliding-Mode Control of PEM Fuel Cells. Advances in Industrial Control. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2431-3_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2431-3_1
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-2430-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-2431-3
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)