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Optimization of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell membrane electrode assembly

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Abstract

A computational framework for fuel cell analysis and optimization is presented as an innovative alternative to the time consuming trial-and-error process currently used for fuel cell design. The framework is based on a two-dimensional through-the-channel isothermal, isobaric and single phase membrane electrode assembly (MEA) model. The model input parameters are the manufacturing parameters used to build the MEA: platinum loading, platinum to carbon ratio, electrolyte content and gas diffusion layer porosity. The governing equations of the fuel cell model are solved using Netwon’s algorithm and an adaptive finite element method in order to achieve near quadratic convergence and a mesh independent solution respectively. The analysis module is used to solve the optimization problem of finding the optimal MEA composition for maximizing performance. To solve the optimization problem a gradient-based optimization algorithm is used in conjunction with analytical sensitivities. By using a gradient-based method and analytical sensitivities, the framework presented is capable of solving a complete MEA optimization problem with state-of-the-art electrode models in approximately 30 min, making it a viable alternative for solving large-scale fuel cell problems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G8, Canada

    Marc Secanell

  2. School of Energy Environment and Materials, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thungkru, Bangkok, 10140, Thailand

    Ron Songprakorp

  3. Institute of Integrated Energy Systems and Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3P6, Canada

    Ned Djilali

  4. Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3P6, Canada

    Afzal Suleman

Authors
  1. Marc Secanell
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  2. Ron Songprakorp
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  3. Ned Djilali
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  4. Afzal Suleman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Afzal Suleman.

Additional information

This article was presented at the 12th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, Victoria, BC, Canada, Sept 10–12, 2008.

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Secanell, M., Songprakorp, R., Djilali, N. et al. Optimization of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell membrane electrode assembly. Struct Multidisc Optim 40, 563–583 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-009-0387-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-009-0387-z

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