Design optimization of propulsion air supply system for hydrogen cell propelled vehicle

Hydrogen fuel cell is used as a rare and sophisticated power source in electric cars. As it was observed in the research carried out on vehicles that use hydrogen fuel cell as a power source and electric motors as sole drive of the car there are some still not solved issues connected with their exploitation. Its working conditions may be unfavourable in case of external factors, which influence is not neutralized. In order to improve and stabilize the conditions additional components (active or passive) somehow cooperating with adequate space and operation environment of the cell are developed. This article is a response to the need for design of air supply channels for the hydrogen cell. The optimization subject is the proper channel shape in order to achieve the appropriate direction of the air stream inducing the forced exchange due to the high temperatures of propulsion heating the air around the cell and interrupting its working conditions. Especially important in this study, it is the fact that developed supply system is designed for high performance electric vehicle with very low air resistance. Accordingly, the critical requirement is to ensure the lowest possible influence on the vehicle aerodynamics keeping the performance of the air supply system. This type of multi-criteria optimization problem, combines the analysis of the geometrical relationships, the use of mathematical models that allow to designate the load states at specified operating conditions, and verification of endurance. It requires special methodology, coupling of used tools and advanced optimization algorithms.