The goal of this project was to design a fuel cell controller for a manned, electric airplane. The controller operates the air compressor based on the power requirement of the fuel cell. Modeling of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell, air compressor, and control functions provided a method for designing the controller and an approximation of how much hydrogen fuel would be consumed over a typical flight profile. This project takes into consideration the electrochemical equations that govern the fuel cell output, the operation and efficiency of the air compressor, and the control method for maintaining adequate power production by the fuel cell system for the entire flight.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Keefe, Andrew E.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 03D089M

Advisor

• Datta, Ravindra
• Emanuel, Alexander E.

Year

• 2003

Date created

• 2003-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Electrical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright