Volume 4: Innovative Solutions for Energy Transitions: Part III

Comprehensive Model-Based Methodology for Fault Detection, Isolation and Mitigation of Fuel Cell Powered Systems Marco Gallo, Carmine Costabile, Marco Sorrentino, Pierpaolo Polverino, Cesare Pianese

Abstract

The present paper describes an innovative and generalizable approach for applying fault mitigation strategies to fuel cell powered systems. Upon information on system State of Health (SoH) and Remaining Useful Life (RUL), the effects of faults occurring at stack or Balance of Plant (BoP) level can be mitigated via appropriate maneuvers. Model-based approach is proposed to derive useful performancerelated indicators per each system component. The model comprises two main parts: a nominal part, which provides the key variables behavior in nominal conditions, and a faulty part that can be used for fault identification purposes. The framework of the algorithm firstly addresses a monitoring phase, through which residuals are computed, and if one or more residuals overcome defined thresholds, a fault detection is triggered. Afterwards, fault isolation is performed by means of a Fault Signature Matrix (FSM) and the fault identification (i.e., its magnitude and time-behavior definition) is performed thanks to the faulty sub-models. Once the fault is characterized, several strategies (each designed according to four different fault magnitudes) are considered, and the most suitable one can be chosen and applied.

Keywords SOFC, Fault Mitigation, Diagnosis, Lifetime, Remaining Useful Life