Hybrid Fuel Cell System

Presentation :

MOTHYS is a system dedicated to learning about hydrogen energy systems for hybrid PAC/battery units.

The system consists of a PEM fuel cell, communicating via CAN, allowing students to understand a multi-energy system, a flow meter, and a hybrid/battery converter. It is an educational and demonstration system based on the use of hydrogen as a carbon-free energy carrier.

A human-machine interface (HMI) allows students to manually control the system and define the hybridization strategy associated with the system. MOTHYS includes an HMI in the form of a touch screen.

4 operating modes:

Automatic mode: Automatic mode allows a cycle pre-recorded in the MOTHYS system to be performed. The user can instantly power their load thanks to battery operation. When the fuel cell is started, the battery SOC will be regulated.

Manual mode:
Manual mode allows the user to control each element of the MOTHYS system. They can act on the components individually in order to understand the purpose of each one before operating the system in hybrid mode.

Customizable mode:
Customizable mode allows users to program their own operating cycle using a programmable Arduino via Simulink. Customizable mode allows different control strategies to be implemented by applying different energy laws.

Recharge mode:
If the user wishes to recharge the MOTHYS system battery, recharge mode isolates the battery from the user output and starts the fuel cell system to perform the recharge. If the system supervisor detects that the battery charge level is too low, recharge mode will be the only operating mode available until a certain battery SOC value is reached.

Technical data: 

FUEL CELL

BATTERY / CONVERTER

COMMUNICATION

Mothys Composition : 

• 
  An AIRCELL 500 fuel cell – air-cooled open cathode fuel cell with a power output of 500W, unregulated DC output, Canbus communication, integrated hydrogen sensor, and low-pressure interface
• A battery with BMS – NMC technology and electrical protection included
• An Arduino Mega control board
• A 24 or 48 Vdc DC/DC Boost converter, CAN communication
• An H2 sensor
• A flow meter
• A tablet (HMI)

Practical work and educational content :

• Checking the battery charge status against initial specifications
• Discovering the Aircell battery
• Discovering the Mothys battery system
• PI29 activities (motorized wheel)

References :

PI25 : Mothys Hybrid Fuel Cell System (SPAC) with extraction

PI29 : Electrical charge for SPAC

PI28 : Outdoor use kit and tools for Mothys hybrid fuel cell system (SPAC)

PI46 : SEWERIN kit: leak detection

PI51 + PI30 : Piping bench (electrolyzer rack) + Hydrogen network shaping tools

PI31 : 500W active load for Mothys