Monitoring of the Operating Parameters a Low-Temperature Fuel-Cell Stack for Applications in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Part I

¹ AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
² AGH University of Science and Technology, Center of Energy, str. Czarnowiejska 36, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
³ UAVS Poland Sp. z o.o.
⁴ AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland

^* Corresponding author: potoczek@agh.edu.pl

Abstract

The paper presents a brief analysis of the potential use of hydrogen-oxygen low-temperature fuel cells with proton-exchange membrane fuel-cell stacks as power sources for the construction of drive units powering unmanned aerial vehicles. Hydrogen storage methods are discussed. Characteristics of selected aspects of monitoring the electrical and non-electrical operating parameters of a drive unit with fuel cells were investigated, with respect to the fuel cell, fuel-cell cooling system, and gas reagent supplying the system with hydrogen and air. Hydrogen fuel consumption for the production of electricity and purification, or so-called purge, was analysed. Based on the results of laboratory tests of the parameters of a generator with fuel cells, an exemplary method of monitoring operating parameters and controlling power sources involving fuel cells is proposed.