Development and simulation of semi-theoretical model for hybrid vehicle powertrain system based on direct methanol fuel cell

Studies about preventing high fuel and energy consumption and reducing the vehicle exhaust emission values, have an important role in the automotive sector. For this purpose, electric or hybrid powertrain systems are developed that more than one clean energy source such as battery, capacitor or fuel cell can be used alone or in combination in vehicles instead of using only petroleum-based fuel. In this study, a Semi-Theoretical model of a hybrid vehicle powertrain system based on direct methanoll fuel cell was developed and it simulated with the suitable speed profile and operating strategy for the vehicle. In this context, a mathematical model was used for the battery, which was considered as an energy source in the hybrid powertrain system, and both a one-dimensional fuel cell model was developed and experimental studies were carried out for the direct methanoll fuel cell. According to the characteristics of constructural elements of the powertrain system which is determined by experiments and models, the operational relationship between fuel cell and battery is expressed by the developed operating strategy for the vehicle. The output parameters of all components of the hybrid vehicle were determined by the simulation of the system and the performance of the vehicle and the factors affecting this performance were investigated. Both the operation and performance of a more environmental and efficient vehicle compared to conventional vehicles were analyzed with the simulation of the semi-theoretical model developed for the hybrid powertrain system based on direct methanol fuel cell and the model which is more accurate than the theoretical model and more simple than experimental studies, was presented for the researchers.