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Postgraduate DiplomaElectromobility, Batteries & Hydrogen Applications open

Postgraduate Diploma in Balance of Plant: Compressors, Pumps and Purge

Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Balance of Plant: Compressors, Pumps and Purge. 8 modules covering ISO 23273, SAE J2579 and GT-SUITE. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the architecture of a fuel cell's balance of plant.

02

Select compressors and air supply systems.

03

Design the hydrogen subsystem with recirculation.

04

Define efficient and safe purge strategies.

05

Size the cooling circuit.

06

Manage the humidification of the inlet air.

07

Coordinate the control and diagnostics of the balance of plant.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Fuel cell system engineer looking to specialise in Balance of Plant: Compressors, Pumps and Purge.
  • Balance of plant component engineer looking to specialise in Balance of Plant: Compressors, Pumps and Purge.
  • Control engineer looking to specialise in Balance of Plant: Compressors, Pumps and Purge.
  • 1D simulation engineer looking to specialise in Balance of Plant: Compressors, Pumps and Purge.
  • Vehicle integration engineer looking to specialise in Balance of Plant: Compressors, Pumps and Purge.
  • System test engineer looking to specialise in Balance of Plant: Compressors, Pumps and Purge.
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences looking to enter hydrogen automotive.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 23273
  • SAE J2579
  • Reglamento UNECE n.º 134
  • ISO 14687
  • IEC 62282-2-100
  • SAE J2578
  • ISO 6469-1
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1Air, hydrogen and cooling subsystems
  2. 1.2Parasitic consumption of the balance of plant
  3. 1.3Net efficiency of the fuel cell system
  4. 1.4Sizing according to stack power
  5. 1.5Space and mass requirements
  6. 1.6Integration in passenger cars, buses and lorries
  7. 1.7P&ID diagrams of the system
  8. 1.8Interfaces with the vehicle
  9. 1.9Cost of auxiliary components
  10. 1.10Workshop: P&ID of a 120 kW fuel cell system
  1. 2.1Cathode flow and pressure requirements
  2. 2.2High-speed centrifugal compressors
  3. 2.3Screw and scroll compressors
  4. 2.4Air bearings and their reliability
  5. 2.5Expansion turbines and energy recovery
  6. 2.6Compressor maps and the surge line
  7. 2.7Chemical filtration of the inlet air
  8. 2.8Compressor noise
  9. 2.9Air stoichiometry control
  10. 2.10Practical: compressor selection using its map
  1. 3.1Pressure regulation from the tank
  2. 3.2Hydrogen injectors and valves
  3. 3.3Recirculation with blowers
  4. 3.4Passive ejectors and their design
  5. 3.5Combination of ejector and blower
  6. 3.6Nitrogen accumulation at the anode
  7. 3.7Water separation at the anode
  8. 3.8Safety of the hydrogen circuit
  9. 3.9Pressure and concentration sensors
  10. 3.10Case study: sizing an ejector for recirculation
  1. 4.1Need for anode purging
  2. 4.2Periodic and cell-voltage-based purging
  3. 4.3Estimation of nitrogen concentration
  4. 4.4Hydrogen losses through purging
  5. 4.5Dilution of hydrogen in the exhaust
  6. 4.6Concentration limits in the exhaust
  7. 4.7Purge and drain valves
  8. 4.8Water purging at shutdown
  9. 4.9Low-temperature strategies
  10. 4.10Laboratory: optimising purge frequency
  1. 5.1Electric coolant pumps
  2. 5.2Thermostats and three-way valves
  3. 5.3Deionisers in the circuit
  4. 5.4Radiators and fans
  5. 5.5Heaters for cold start
  6. 5.6Regulation of stack inlet temperature
  7. 5.7Pressure drop in the circuit
  8. 5.8Conductivity management
  9. 5.9Integration with climate control
  10. 5.10Practical: 1D model of the cooling circuit
  1. 6.1Hollow-fibre membrane humidifiers
  2. 6.2Plate humidifiers
  3. 6.3Control of the relative humidity of the air
  4. 6.4Compressed air intercoolers
  5. 6.5Condensate management in the exhaust
  6. 6.6Humidifier bypass
  7. 6.7Effect of inlet temperature
  8. 6.8Humidifier maintenance
  9. 6.9Typical subsystem faults
  10. 6.10Case study: diagnosing a dry membrane caused by humidifier failure
  1. 7.1Coordinated control of air and hydrogen
  2. 7.2Response to load transients
  3. 7.3Leak diagnostics
  4. 7.4Plausibility checks for pressure and temperature sensors
  5. 7.5Management of component faults
  6. 7.6Sequenced start-up and shutdown
  7. 7.7Optimisation of parasitic consumption
  8. 7.8System calibration
  9. 7.9Bench validation
  10. 7.10Workshop: system start-up sequence
  1. 8.1System requirements
  2. 8.2Air subsystem design
  3. 8.3Hydrogen subsystem design
  4. 8.4Purge strategy
  5. 8.5Cooling circuit
  6. 8.6Humidification management
  7. 8.7Coordinated control strategy
  8. 8.8Net efficiency assessment
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink, Simcenter Amesim, ANSYS CFX, Dymola, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The case studies are based on real procedures for sizing compressors for fuel cells, designing hydrogen recirculation ejectors and optimising purge strategies. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor bench, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibrations/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry Mentored:teachers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible modality(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

System requirements

Describe the architecture of a fuel cell's balance of plant.

Air subsystem design

Select compressors and air supply systems.

Hydrogen subsystem design

Design the hydrogen subsystem with recirculation.

Purge strategy

Define efficient and safe purge strategies.

Cooling circuit

Size the cooling circuit.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Fuel cell systems engineerBalance of plant component engineerControl engineer1D simulation engineerVehicle integration engineerSystem test engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is 10 to 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.

You will work with GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink, Simcenter Amesim, ANSYS CFX, Dymola. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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