Work

Integrated modeling and multi-objective optimization of a PEMFC thermal management system for a fuel cell electric bus

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is the main power source of fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs), and its stable operation is critically dependent on thermal management system (TMS) performance. This study develops an integrated PEMFC–TMS model that includes the coolant pump, fin–tube radiator, heat exchangers, and fuel cell stack, enabling system-level evaluation of thermal and hydraulic behavior. Radiator performance was examined at the component level using the heat transfer search (HTS) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms, with four objectives: effectiveness, total annualized cost, total weight, and entropy generation. The optimization captured trade-offs among these objectives, and HTS demonstrated superior optimization performance compared to PSO. The optimization framework was then extended from component-level to system-level analysis, where radiator geometry affects not only component metrics but also stack temperature and parasitic power. A multi-objective optimization with eight geometric variables was performed by extending conventional component-level objectives to system-scale evaluation: minimizing total weight and maximum stack temperature while maximizing radiator effectiveness and system efficiency. A combined PCA–OFAT sensitivity analysis quantified the influence of geometric variables and identified the dominant factors governing thermo–hydraulic trade-offs. The optimized radiator improved effectiveness and reduced the maximum stack temperature by 5.9 °C, while maintaining nearly unchanged system efficiency. The proposed approach demonstrates that radiator optimization should be conducted at the system level rather than as an isolated component, providing a practical framework for designing PEMFC thermal management systems with improved cooling performance and system-level consistency.

Source: Applied Thermal Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2026.132017

Authors: Yebeen Kim, Sanggyu Kang, Kyoungdoug Min

Institution: Seoul National University

Language: English

Topic: Fuel Cells and Related Materials

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,660