A Gas-Recirculation Control System in a Battery of Fuel Cells

Currently, power plants based on hydrogen—oxygen fuel cells are widely used. The advantages of such electrochemical generators are environmental friendliness, efficiency, and a wide power-output range. Some components of such engines are still being developed. One of these components is the working gasrecirculation system, which increases the efficiency of an installation. In addition, this system helps support the water balance in a fuel-cell stack by removing the water that occurs in the cavities of the membrane—electrode block as a result of the electrochemical reaction. With consideration of the complexity of the reactions that occur in an installation, an automatic control system (ACS) is necessary for the gas recirculation system. This article deals with the organization of an automatic control system based on a microprocessor controller, sensors, and actuators, which implements control algorithms for the components of the gas recirculation system.