Algebraic observer design for PEM fuel cell system

In this paper, the concept of the algebraic observer is applied to Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) system. The aim of the proposed observer is to reconstruct the oxygen excess ratio through estimation of their relevant states in real time from the measurement of the supply manifold air pressure. A robust differentiation method is adopted to estimate in finite-time the time derivative of the supply manifold air pressure. Then, the relevant states are reconstructed based on the output-state inversion model. The objective is to minimize the use of extra sensors in order to reduce the costs and enhance the system accuracy. The performance of the proposed observer is analyzed through simulations considering measurement noise and different stack-current variations. The results show that the algebraic observer estimates in finite time and robustly the oxygen-excess ratio.