Conference article

Development of a Real-Time Fuel Processor Model for HIL Simulation

Karin Fröjd
Modelon AB, Ideon Science Park, Lund, Sweden

Karin Axelsson
PowerCell AB, Göteborg, Sweden

Ivar Torstensson
Modelon AB, Ideon Science Park, Lund, Sweden

Erik Åberg
Modelon AB, Ideon Science Park, Lund, Sweden

Erik Osvaldsson
PowerCell AB, Göteborg, Sweden

Gregor Dolanc
J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Bostjan Pregelj
J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Jonas Eborn
Modelon AB, Ideon Science Park, Lund, Sweden

Jens Pålsson
Modelon AB, Ideon Science Park, Lund, Sweden

Download articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp14096675

Published in: Proceedings of the 10th International Modelica Conference; March 10-12; 2014; Lund; Sweden

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 96:71, p. 675-682

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Published: 2014-03-10

ISBN: 978-91-7519-380-9

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Abstract

In this article a real-time model for dynamic simulation of a fuel processor is presented. The model is intended for HIL testing of the PLC for a truck Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) system.

The APU comprises a PEM fuel cell and fuel processor to enable direct utilization of on-board diesel. The system is under development in FCGEN; an EU project under the FP7 program FCH JU [1]. One critical challenge is to design the control system (PLC) to ensure failsafe and environmental friendly startup and operation. The startup phase of the fuel processor is the most critical part; since it is a highly dynamic process involving several complex reactors. It is advantageous to verify the control system before the fuel processor is assembled to avoid possible breakage of components. Such verification can be done with a real-time model representing the physical system. In this study such a model is created using Modelica and Dymola. It is shown that it is possible to load and execute a real-time Modelica model capable of realistically mimicking the system response on a HIL platform. The model runs in real time using a first order explicit (Euler) solver with a time step size of 25 ms.

Keywords

HIL simulation; fuel reformation; fuel processor; fuel cell; PLC; real-time simulation

References

[1] FCGEN is financially supported by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) for the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative under grant agreement n° [277844]

[2] Gäfvert, M., Tummescheit, H., Wikander, H., Skoglund, T., Windahl, J., Reutersvärd, P., “Real-Time HWIL simulation of Liquid Food Processor Lines”, Modelica conference 2008

[3] FuelCellLib by Modelon, www.modelon.com/products/modelica-libraries/fuel-cell-library/

[4] Andersson, D., Åberg, E., Eborn, J., Yuan, J., Sundén, B., “Dynamic modeling of a solid oxide fuel cell system in Modelica”, Modelica conference 2011

[5] McBride, B.J., Zehe, M.J., Gordon, S., NASA Glenn Coefficients for Calculating Thermodynamic Properties of Individual Species¸ NASA/TP—2002-211556

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