Multi-objective design optimization of PMSM for PEM fuel cell air-circuit with PSO algorithms

This paper deals with the design of a 500 W permanent magnet (PM) synchronous motor (PMSM) used to drive the air-compressor of a 5 kW fuel cell (FC). The authors focus on the optimization of the PMSM efficiency/mass/efficiency-mass in order to minimize the energy consumption and the mass of the air-compressor which can represent up to 30% of the electrical energy delivered by the FC. The aim of this paper is the optimization of the PMSM for proton exchange membrane (PEM) FC air-circuit with an analytical model (AM) based on the Maxwell's equations and with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The results are compared to finite element analysis (FEA) and make it possible to define the characteristics that have the highest influence on the PMSM performances.