FUEL CELL STACK CONFIGURATION USING HARMONY SEARCH ALGORITHM

Year 2012, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 43 - 51, 01.03.2012

Alireza Askarzadeh Alireza Rezazadeh

Abstract

This paper deals with the application of harmony search (HS) algorithm to find the optimum configuration of a fuel cell-based stand alone power supply system. The optimization process includes finding the optimum number of cells in series, number of cells in parallel, and cell’s surface area by which the system delivers its maximum output power at the load’s operating voltage. Due to the nonlinearity and complexity of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), conventional optimization techniques are unable to efficiently solve the problem. HS is a metaheuristic optimization algorithm which tries to simulate the improvisation process of musicians. Easy implementation, simple concept, and high search power have made HS as a popular optimization algorithm to tackle complex optimization problems. In this paper, a HS-based stack configuration process is proposed to provide dc electricity for a single dwelling in a remote area of a developing country. Promising simulation results accentuate that HS can be a good candidate to solve fuel cell optimization problems

Keywords

Fuel cell, Stack configuration, Optimization, Harmony search algorithm

References

• [1] Geem, Z.W., Kim, J.H. and Loganathan, G.V., A new heuristic optimization algorithm: harmony search, Simulation, 76, 60-68, 2001.
• [2] Kim, J.H., Geem, Z.W. and Kim, E.S., Parameter estimation of the nonlinear Muskingum model using harmony search, J Am Water Resour Assoc, 37, 1131-1138, 2001.
• [3] Lee, K.S. andGeem, Z.W., A new structural optimization method based on the harmony search algorithm. Comput Struct, 82,781-798, 2004.
• [4] Lee, K.S. and Geem, Z.W., A new meta-heuristic algorithm for continues engineering optimization: harmony search theory and practice, Comput Meth Appl Mech Eng, 194, 3902- 3933, 2004.
• [5] Fesanghary, M., Damangir, E. and Soleimani, I., Design optimization of shell and tube heat exchangers using global analysis and harmony search algorithm, Appl Therm Eng, 29, 1026-1031, 2009.
• [6] Yadav, P., Kumar, R., Panda, S.K. and Chang, C.S., An improved harmony search algorithm for optimal scheduling of the diesel generators in oil rig platforms, Energ Convers Manage, 52, 893-902, 2011.
• [7] Askarzadeh, A. and Rezazadeh, A., A grouping-based global harmony search algorithm for modeling of proton exchange membrane fuel cell, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 36, 5047- 5053, 2011.
• [8] Bıyıkoğlu, A., Review of proton exchange membrane fuel cell models, Int J Hydrogen Energy, 30, 1181-1212, 2005.
• [9] Larminie, J. and Dicks, A., Fuel Cell Systems Explained, John Wiley & Sons. Ltd; 2000.
• [10] Lee, K.S. and Geem, Z.W., A new meta-heuristic algorithm for continues engineering optimization: harmony search theory and practice, Comput Meth Appl Mech Eng, 194, 3902- 3933, 2004.
• [11] Mahdavi, M., Fesanghary, M. and Damangir, E.. An improved harmony search algorithm for solving optimization problems, Appl Math Comput, 188, 1567-1579, 2007.