Multi-Objective Optimization of the Gas Diffusion Layer and Parallel Flow Channel Dimensions for High-Power Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Operations

Currently, energy crisis is believed to be one of the most important issues in developing and developed countries owing to increasing urbanization and industrialization. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is a high-efficiency energy conversion device that can replace fossil fuel energy systems. This study performed a multi-objective optimization to maximize the cell performance and minimize the pressure drop by optimizing four key design parameters (gas diffusion layer thickness, channel depth, channel width, and land width). To this end, the responses of the cell voltage and pressure drop of a PEM fuel cell model under different designs were investigated. First, the interactive effect of the design parameters on the cell voltage and pressure drop was investigated, and the results revealed that a simultaneous decrease in the land width and channel depth can have a beneficial effect on the cell voltage, whereas a simultaneous increase in the channel depth and channel width improves the pressure drop. Second, second-order polynomial equations were derived to predict the cell voltage and pressure drop using the four design parameters. Lastly, the comparison of the obtained optimal design and a reference cell design demonstrated the superior cell performance of the former with a lower pressure drop.