Optimization of Fuel Cell-Assisted Heating Cold-Start Strategy Based on Nsga-Ii Algorithm

The cold start of fuel cells presents a major bottleneck in commercialization, with auxiliary heating strategies serving as a crucial method to achieve rapid cold start. In response to this challenge, a one-dimensional multi-phase cold-start stack model was developed to explore optimization strategies for cold-start performance. Utilizing the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA)-II, coolant flow rate, positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating power, and load rate were comprehensively optimized to determine the optimal auxiliary heating strategy. The findings reveal that increasing the load rate enhances both the growth of the cathode ice volume fraction and the temperature rise rate; however, excessively high rates may lead to polarity reversal, with an optimal range identified between 0 and 0.04 A cm–2. A coolant flow rate of 0.1-0.5 kg s–1 improves temperature uniformity, and the PTC heater enhances both the temperature rise rate and voltage stability. The optimal solution was identified as a coolant flow rate of 0.45 kg s–1, PTC power of 2375 W, and a load rate of 0.02268 A cm–2, significantly reducing the minimum cold-start temperature to 247.15 K and improving cold-start performance.