A backtracking search algorithm combined with Burger's chaotic map for parameter estimation of PEMFC electrochemical model Alireza Askarzadeh a,* , Leandro dos Santos Coelho b a Department of Energy Management and Optimization, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran b Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate Program, Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, and Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil article info Article history: Received 1 February 2014 Received in revised form 6 May 2014 Accepted 10 May 2014 Available online xxx Keywords: Proton exchange membrane fuel cells Backtracking search algorithm Parameter estimation abstract Polarization curves are vital tools for simulation, evaluation, management, and optimi- zation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). They are affected by various parameters related to the nonlinearities associated with the electrochemical processes governing fuel cells (FCs). However, the relative importance and effect of each parameter on the polarization curve is different. In order to efficiently estimate the unknown pa- rameters of the PEMFC electrochemical-based model and obtain accurate solutions, in this paper, a backtracking search algorithm combined with Burger's chaotic map (BSABCM) is proposed and investigated. The results related to two real systems, the SR-12 Modular PEM Generator and the Ballard Mark V FC, illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed meth- odology. Furthermore, the BSABCM presented competitive results when compared with the results of the other metaheuristics. Copyright © 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Introduction As one of the clean, renewable, and promising energy sour- ces, fuel cells (FCs) are being studied worldwide to contribute in meeting the electrical power demand especially in remote areas. There are various types of FCs, but they all include an anode (negative side), a cathode (positive side) and an elec- trolyte that permits protons to move between the two sides of the FC. Electrons move from the anode side to the cathode side through an external circuit, generating electrical cur- rent. Since the major difference among FC types is their electrolyte, FCs are categorized by the type of electrolyte. A single FC generates a small voltage value, about 0.7 V, so a number of FCs are placed in series (stack) to increase the overall voltage. Also, FCs generate water, heat and depend- ing on the fuel source, very small amounts of nitrogen di- oxide and other emissions. The efficiency of a FC is normally between 40 and 60%, or up to 85% if waste heat is captured for use. Among FCs, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have drawn much attention because they have ad- vantages over the other FC types. PEMFCs have high current density, operate at low temperature, are lighter, and more compact which makes them ideal for various applications. A key issue for effectively and efficiently using PEMFCs is * Corresponding author. Tel./fax: þ98 342 6233176. E-mail addresses: a.askarzadeh@kgut.ac.ir, askarzadeh_a@yahoo.com (A. Askarzadeh). Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/he international journal of hydrogen energy xxx (2014) 1 e10 Please cite this article in press as: Askarzadeh A, Coelho LdS, A backtracking search algorithm combined with Burger's chaotic map for parameter estimation of PEMFC electrochemical model, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2014), http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.05.052 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.05.052 0360-3199/Copyright © 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.