Análise e simulação de um conversor BUCK para Produção de H2 On-Board em Veículos Pesados

Abstract

The transportation sector is one of the main contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, demanding innovative solutions for decarbonization. This work analyzes and validates the architecture of an on-board hydrogen production system for buses, using the electrical energy generated by the vehicle's alternator. The main objective was to develop and validate, through simulations in MATLAB/Simulink software, the power electronics system for supplying an electrolyzer from the alternator's energy. The methodology involved the selection of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, justified by its fast dynamic response and suitability for the vehicular environment. The Power Electronics design focused on the Buck converter, chosen for its efficiency and voltage reduction capability. The dynamic modeling of the converter, using the State-Space Averaging technique, enabled the derivation of the transfer functions, essential for the Proportional-Integral (PI) controller design. The control was tuned via the current loop, aiming for precise H₂ production regulation. The MATLAB/Simulink simulation results confirmed the system's robustness, demonstrating the ability of the PI controlled Buck converter to maintain a stable output current with low ripple, thus validating the technical feasibility of the integration. It is concluded that Power Electronics is the key element to enable on-site green hydrogen production, offering a practical and efficient solution for the energy transition in heavy-duty transport.