Computers and Electrical Engineering 77 (2019) 354–365 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Computers and Electrical Engineering journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/compeleceng Mathematical modelling of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and fuzzy-based intelligent controllers for performance enhancement ✩ Dhanya Sreedharan a,∗ , Varghese Paul b , Rani Thottungal c a Anna University 600025 Chennai, India b Computer Science Department, TocH Institute of Science and Technology 682313 Arakkunnam, India c Electronics and Communication Department, Kumaraguru College of Technology 641049, India a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 13 September 2018 Revised 22 June 2019 Accepted 24 June 2019 Keywords: PEMFC Mathematical model Air flow subsystem Intelligent controllers Fuzzy logic controller Adaptive neurofuzzy controller Optimum parameter set Cathode flow rate Cathode pressure a b s t r a c t We present the results of mathematical modelling of a 500 W polymer electrolyte mem- brane fuel cell implemented in Matlab/Simulink, and of the design of intelligent controllers such as fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy controllers (ANFCs). The controllers regulate anode-side pressure, cathode flow, pressure difference, and humidity. Regulation of the anode-side pressure maintains the desired anode-cathode pressure differ- ential. The net controller actions deliver the rated power while operating in a safe regime. The ANFC is shown to be more successful as compared to the FLC in attaining the opti- mum values of the cathode pressure, flow rate, and the flow rate of water injected from the humidifier at 20 A, which gives a rated power of 500 W. The novelty of the work is the simultaneous operation of these controllers in regulating these critical parameters to achieve the desired electrical performance. The efficiency of the controllers is very impor- tant for the hardware implementation and ease of real-time operation. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Fuel Cell (FC) systems are one among the prominent, key enabling technologies for achieving the carbon-free genera- tion of electricity. Various FC technologies at different stages of development are available, depending upon the electrolyte. The major FC types are: alkaline fuel cell (AFC), direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), molten carbonate solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), and polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Among these FC technologies, PEMFCs operate at a lower temperature range of around 60 °C to 100 °C, have a quick response to load variations, and are low in weight [1]. They are also compact and easy to manufacture due to the solid electrolyte, and these features enable their use for a variety of applications like portable, stationary, automobile, and standalone systems [2]. Successful commer- cialisation of PEMFC systems for these applications requires rigorous research in fuel cell materials, controllers, and the various associated subsystems. These research and development efforts have provided PEMFC systems with improved effi- ciency, long life, and reliable operation which require highly efficient controllers. Suitable control strategies are required to ✩ This paper was for CAEE special section SI-hai which was cancelled. Therefore, it should go to regular issues. Reviews processed and recommended for publication to the Editor-in-Chief by Associate Editor Dr. Gustavo Ramirez Gonzalez. ∗ Corresponding author. E-mail address: dhanyasreedharan16@yahoo.co.in (D. Sreedharan). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compeleceng.2019.06.017 0045-7906/© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.