Efficient Power Conditioner for a Fuel Cell Stack-Ripple Current Reduction Using Multiphase Converter

Abstract

Integration of fuel cell stack with an inverter is complex in nature. A number of factors have to be taken into account in designing the inverter as well as during the integration. One of these factors is ripple current which could affect the life of the fuel cell stack if there is fuel and/or oxidant starvation. In this paper an inverter topology is investigated which significantly reduces or even nullifies the ripple content in the fuel cell system. The investigations have been carried out using indigenously developed 1 KW PEMFC stack and a 4 kW PEMFC stack with single and multi phase inverter. The results are presented here.