Exergy analysis and optimization of a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell using genetic algorithm

The exergy of a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell has been studied and analyzed in this research. In the present work a genetic algorithm code was developed using MATLAB software to calculate and optimize work, exergy, exergy efficiency and thermodynamic irreversibility. Also, a membrane fuel cell was modeled and simulated. The polarization curve is in good agreement with experimental data. The results were studied for current density range=0.05 A/cm 2 to 1 A/cm 2 , temperature range=393 K to 453 K, pressure range=1 atm to 3 atm and membrane thickness=0.016–0.02 cm. The optimum value of work was calculated 0.496 W/cm 2 that was obtained at current density of 1 A/cm 2 , temperature=453 K, pressure=2.6 atm and membrane thickness=0.016 cm. The optimum value for irreversibility and exergy efficiency are0.007 W/cm 2 and 0.46 at the same point. The optimum point of multi-objective function was obtained at current density 0.49363 A/cm 2 , temperature 451.231 K, pressure 2.5 atm and membrane thickness 0.016 cm. At this optimum point work, irreversibility and exergy efficiency were calculated as 0.2767 W/cm 2 , 0.1542 W/cm 2 and 0.3545 simultaneously.