Optimization of Thermal Management of PEMFC Fuel Cells through Liquid Cooling: Modeling with MATLAB/Simulink
Author :
Abstract
Keywords
Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable and low-emission transportation systems has accelerated the development of hydrogen-based energy technologies. Among these, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) have emerged as a promising solution for automotive applications due to their high efficiency, compact design, and zero-emission operation. Despite their advantages, PEMFCs generate substantial thermal energy during operation, primarily due to electrochemical reactions, ohmic losses, and phase change phenomena. If not properly managed, this heat can lead to non-uniform temperature distributions, reduced electrochemical performance, accelerated material degradation, and compromised system reliability. Consequently, thermal management is a critical aspect of fuel cell system design, particularly in vehicular environments where space constraints and dynamic load profiles pose additional challenges. Liquid cooling systems offer superior thermal conductivity and heat dissipation capabilities compared to air-based solutions, making them more suitable for high-power fuel cell stacks. However, their implementation requires careful consideration of coolant flow regulation, channel geometry, and system integration to balance thermal performance with energy consumption.
This work presents a numerical modeling approach for the thermal behavior of PEMFCs using MATLAB/Simulink. The model simulates the heat transfer dynamics within the fuel cell system under realistic driving conditions, based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). A case study inspired by the architecture of the Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle is used to validate the model and assess the impact of various cooling strategies, including adaptive pump control and hybrid channel configurations. The objective is to demonstrate the potential of simulation-driven design in optimizing fuel cell thermal management, reducing development time, and supporting the integration of intelligent control mechanisms for next-generation hydrogen-powered vehicles.
