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Multi-objective genetic optimization of the thermoelectric system for thermal management of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

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  • Kwan, Trevor Hocksun
  • Wu, Xiaofeng
  • Yao, Qinghe

Abstract

As a clean power system with a narrow temperature range of typically 60–95 °C, the low temperature (LT) proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) requires an effective thermal management system to enhance its efficiency and durability. This paper focuses on a genetic algorithm based optimization of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) as applied to the PEMFC system. The genetic algorithm approach is advantageous over similar previous research in that it enables multi-objective optimization where the various TEG module parameters can be configured towards critical objectives such as maximum output power, minimal mass and maintaining the PEMFC within its operating temperature range. A second case study is also studied where the combined efficiency of the PEMFC and TEG is selected as an objective in replacement of the maximum TEG output power. Optimization results suggest that, in both cases, there is a trade-off situation between maximum output TEG power or maximum system efficiency with respect to system mass. It is also shown that the most important benefit of increasing the cooling convection coefficient is that it increases the system’s specific power where the heat sink areas can be smaller to achieve the same cooling rate.

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  • Kwan, Trevor Hocksun & Wu, Xiaofeng & Yao, Qinghe, 2018. "Multi-objective genetic optimization of the thermoelectric system for thermal management of proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 314-327.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:217:y:2018:i:c:p:314-327
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.02.097
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    Cited by:

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    3. Hossein Pourrahmani & Hamed Shakeri & Jan Van herle, 2022. "Thermoelectric Generator as the Waste Heat Recovery Unit of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: A Numerical Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Saufi Sulaiman, M. & Singh, B. & Mohamed, W.A.N.W., 2019. "Experimental and theoretical study of thermoelectric generator waste heat recovery model for an ultra-low temperature PEM fuel cell powered vehicle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 628-646.
    5. Shittu, Samson & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong & Ma, Xiaoli, 2020. "Review of thermoelectric geometry and structure optimization for performance enhancement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    6. Chen, Kui & Laghrouche, Salah & Djerdir, Abdesslem, 2019. "Degradation model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell based on a novel hybrid method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 1-1.
    7. Hoai Vu Anh Truong & Hoang Vu Dao & Tri Cuong Do & Cong Minh Ho & Xuan Dinh To & Tri Dung Dang & Kyoung Kwan Ahn, 2020. "Mapping Fuzzy Energy Management Strategy for PEM Fuel Cell–Battery–Supercapacitor Hybrid Excavator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-27, July.
    8. Lan, Yuncheng & Lu, Junhui & Mu, Lianbo & Wang, Suilin & Zhai, Huixing, 2023. "Waste heat recovery from exhausted gas of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell to produce hydrogen using thermoelectric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    9. Guo, Xinru & Zhang, Houcheng & Wang, Jiatang & Zhao, Jiapei & Wang, Fu & Miao, He & Yuan, Jinliang & Hou, Shujin, 2020. "A new hybrid system composed of high-temperature proton exchange fuel cell and two-stage thermoelectric generator with Thomson effect: Energy and exergy analyses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    10. Fragiacomo, Petronilla & Lucarelli, Giuseppe & Genovese, Matteo & Florio, Gaetano, 2021. "Multi-objective optimization model for fuel cell-based poly-generation energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    11. Jing-Hui Meng & Hao-Chi Wu & Tian-Hu Wang, 2019. "Optimization of Two-Stage Combined Thermoelectric Devices by a Three-Dimensional Multi-Physics Model and Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-24, July.
    12. Guo, Xinru & Zhang, Houcheng, 2020. "Performance analyses of a combined system consisting of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and thermally regenerative electrochemical cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    13. Kwan, Trevor Hocksun & Shen, Yongting & Yao, Qinghe, 2019. "An energy management strategy for supplying combined heat and power by the fuel cell thermoelectric hybrid system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    14. El-Hay, Enas A. & El-Hameed, Mohamed A. & El-Fergany, Attia A., 2018. "Performance enhancement of autonomous system comprising proton exchange membrane fuel cells and switched reluctance motor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 699-711.
    15. Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior & Nelson H. Calderon & Samara Silva De Souza, 2018. "Characterization of a Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) System for Waste Heat Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-13, June.
    16. Zhou, Su & Xie, Zhengchun & Chen, Chunguang & Zhang, Gang & Guo, Junhua, 2022. "Design and energy consumption research of an integrated air supply device for multi-stack fuel cell systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

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