Modeling and control of a fuel cell current control loop of a 4-phase interleaved step-up converter for DC distributed system

Abstract

In a high power converter design for fuel cell applications, the usefulness of interleaving power converter module has become apparent. The benefits of interleaving include: reduced rms current in the do bus capacitors; ripple current cancellation in the input and output waveforms; reduction of size and volume of input inductors, enabling the simplicity to obtain Ferrite-core and Litz wire size; improved transient response as a result of reduced input inductance and higher input and output ripple frequency; separation of heat generating components; and power converter segmentations, enabling the superior reliability. So, this paper presents a fuel cell current control loop of the proposed 4-phase interleaved boost converter for high power fuel cell applications. Experimental results of the proposed FC converter (1.2-kW) at 25-kHz PWM switching frequency connecting with a Nexatrade PEM fuel cell (1.2-kW, 46-A,) collaborate the excellent performances: static and transient states of the design system.