Multi-response optimization of ejector for proton exchange membrane fuel cell anode systems by the response surface methodology and desirability function approach

• Published in: International journal of green energy Vol. 21; no. 8; pp. 1910 - 1927
• Main Authors: Hou, Mingtao, Chen, Fengxiang, Jiao, Jieran, Pei, Fenglai, Li, Yuansong, Zhang, Weidong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 20.06.2024
• Subjects: Box-Behnken design; desirability function approach; ejector; Fuel cell system; multi-response optimization; response surface methodology
• ISSN: 1543-5075; 1543-5083
• DOI: 10.1080/15435075.2023.2276168

In a fuel cell system, the performance of the ejector is limited when it operates under off-design conditions. To improve the performance of the ejector under all operating conditions in the fuel cell system, this study employs a multi-response optimization approach to optimize the structural parameters of the ejector. The optimization objectives are the entrainment ratio under low-power and high-power operating conditions, with the optimization variables including the mixing tube diameter (D m ), primary nozzle exit position (L nxp ), and mixing tube length (L m ). A quadratic polynomial model is proposed to correlate the key structural parameters of the ejector with the entrainment ratio using the response surface methodology based on the Box-Behnken design. The optimal structural parameters of the ejector are obtained using the desirability function approach. The results demonstrate that this optimization approach significantly improves the ejector performance under off-design conditions while the performance remains essentially unchanged under high-power operating conditions.