A Simulation Model for an Indirect Methanol Fuel Cell Vehicle
Abstract
Presented at the Future Transportation Technology Conference & Exposition, Costa Mesa, CA
Session: Alternative Fuels & Fuel Cells
This work focuses on the algorithms to simulate and analyze the characteristics of an indirect methanol fuel cell vehicle. The individual components of the electric drive train including transmission, the vehicle properties, such as drag, frontal area, wheel inertia etc., and the fuel cell system are modeled in a dynamic manner. Further the interaction between the individual components and a simple driver model is described. The algorithms are coded using the simulation tool Matlab/Simulink.
The simulation tool is strictly set up in a modular form allowing modifications of individual component characteristics or control algorithms without the need to change the remainder of the model. For the benefit of a more in depth discussion of the applied algorithms and the setup of the model this paper focuses solely on the case of an Indirect Methanol Fuel Cell Vehicle (IMFCV) with steam reformer and without any additional energy storage. Other papers expanding this initial work and discussing various cases of hybridization (batteries, ultra capacitors, reformate gas storages or other fuel cell systems) are under preparation.
It is important to notice that the focus of the paper is on the explanation of the algorithms and not the calculation of the fuel consumption or emissions associated with one specific vehicle design or technology. Therefore all quoted data are only illustrative but are not intended to serve as evaluations of the potential of a certain technology.
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