Project Objectives

The RUBY project aims at developing, integrating, engineering and testing a comprehensive and generalized Monitoring, Diagnostic, Prognostic and Control (MDPC) tool capable of improving efficiency, reliability and durability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEMFC) systems for stationary applications. The tool relies on advanced techniques and dedicated hardware and will be embedded in the Fuel Cell Systems (FCSs) for on-line validation in relevant operational environment. The RUBY tool will reach at the end of the project a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) equal to TRL 7.

EIFER’s Contribution

• EIFER is leading the test on PEMFC stacks and systems: to design and tune all the functionalities considered in the MDPC tool, experimental characterization of stacks and FCSs will be carried out. Both nominal and faulty operations will be addressed.
• EIFER will address for PEMFC faults related to Balance of Plant (BOP) through a signal-based algorithm which uses FTA and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) techniques to identify the failing components. EIFER will use a two-step hybrid diagnosis algorithm. The first step is a signal-based approach, followed by the identification of the intensity level, which is done by another signal based approach or an Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Interference System (ANFIS).
• EIFER will improve and validate its multi model approach for prognosis.