Optimization of Operating Parameters Affecting the Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) by Using Taguchi Method

Abstract

Recently; the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is gaining increasing attention. This fuel cell is affected by a large number of parameters such as temperature, pressure and relative humidity. A developed model using a Finite Element Method was used to analyze the collected results. Taguchi method was used to find out the effective parameters that give the maximum power density of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The water distribution is analyzed and the results show that the water presents a key role in the hydration of the membrane and then the fuel cell performances. The optimum power density was 0.503W/cm2, it was obtained with 320 K temperature, 3Pa operating pressure and 0.8/0.2 mass fractions hydrogen/water.