Multi-Layer DC-DC Converter for Fuel Cell-Based Air Independent Propulsion System

Power conditioning subsystem is considered one of the main components of the fuel cell power systems.DC/DC converters play the leading role in the power conditioning subsystem and fuel cell hybridizationwith other electric power sources and storage. DC/DC converters regulate the load voltage and in somecases, the fuel cell current changes, and the loading level is controlled by current-controlled DC/DCconverters. Designing converters in multi-layer topology have some advantages including input currentripple reduction. Due to the current division among the layers, lower current-rating semiconductor devicescan be used. Also, failing one layer doesn't lead to a complete system outage; the other layers can deliver afraction of the nominal power. In this paper, a fuel cell power system based on a ۱۶ kW PEM fuel cellstack and a multi-layer DC/DC boost converter is designed and implemented. The power system isdesigned for marine air-independent propulsion systems. The power system is modeled and analyzed inMATLAB/Simulink software environment. The power system is implemented to verify the analysis andsimulation results.