Dynamics and global optimization of an integrated PEM fuel cell unit: Cost, efficiency and power generation perspective

This work aims at exploring the techno-economic feasibility of an optimal polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell integrated with key auxiliary components, including a compressor, and supply and return manifolds. For this, the first-principles PEM fuel cell model is developed by the application of conservation principle and then coupled with cell electrochemistry along with the model of auxiliary modules. Validating the dynamic theoretical framework with experimental data, it is extended to formulate the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) embedded with Taguchi method along with the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) for global optimization. Three conflicting objectives, namely minimization of cost, and maximization of efficiency and power generation of the cell, are framed to identify the four design and operating parameters. The PEM fuel cell delivers an average output power of 6909 W (57.81 % efficiency) under lower heating value condition and 6896 W (48.70 % efficiency) under higher heating value condition. At a hydrogen purchase price of 5 $/kg, the power production cost remains consistent at 0.307 $/kWh, comparable to reported values of 0.30 – 0.31 $/kWh for a hydrogen price of 4.55 – 4.62 $/kg.