A predictive control arrangement for load-following fuel cell-powered applications

摘要

A method and system are provided for controlling a fuel cell power plant (10). A demand signal (Mld) representing the anticipated current/power required by the electrical load(s) is provided. A current signal (Iap) representative of the actual current drawn by the load(s) (20) is provided. The greater of the demand signal (Mld) and the current signal (Iap) is selected (46) and utilized to provide a control signal (Mx, Mx', Mx'') for regulating one or more of the reactants and coolant (24). One or more status signals (Xp, Xp', Xp'', Vap) indicative of the status of a regulated one of more of the reactant/coolant and/or a respective operating process effected, is provided. Each status signal is transformed to a respective load capability signal (61, 61', 61''). The lesser of the demand signal (Mld) and each of the load capability signals (61, 61', 61 '') is selected (62) to provide an output signal (Mi) for commensurately controlling a system load (20, 32).