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A conceptual model of a high-efficiency, stand-alone power unit based on a fuel cell stack with an integrated auto-thermal ethanol reformer

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  • Jaggi, Vikas
  • Jayanti, S.

Abstract

An integrated configuration of a fuel cell and an auto-thermal ethanol reformer has been studied conceptually for high temperature (HT) and low temperature (LT) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for a 5kW, stand-alone power unit. It is found that the integrated reformer–HT fuel cell system can operate in an auto-thermal mode using a Co–Fe/Zn catalyst to reform aqueous ethanol at 500°C to produce hydrogen with about 3% of CO which is tolerable for an HT-PEMFC operating at 200°C. A simulation model developed for the integrated reformer–HT-PEMFC system shows that significant amount of excess heat is available at 700°C. Using this excess heat, an integrated reformer–HT–LT-PEMFC power unit is designed which produces 15kW of electrical power at an overall efficiency of 41% and a thermal efficiency of 80%. Since it has an integrated aqueous ethanol reformer, the fuel for the power unit can be stored in liquid form which makes it ideal for stand-alone power unit applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaggi, Vikas & Jayanti, S., 2013. "A conceptual model of a high-efficiency, stand-alone power unit based on a fuel cell stack with an integrated auto-thermal ethanol reformer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 295-303.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:110:y:2013:i:c:p:295-303
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.04.001
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    3. Gomes, R.S. & De Bortoli, A.L., 2016. "A three-dimensional mathematical model for the anode of a direct ethanol fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 1292-1301.
    4. Laura Tribioli & Raffaello Cozzolino & Daniele Chiappini, 2017. "Technical Assessment of Different Operating Conditions of an On-Board Autothermal Reformer for Fuel Cell Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, June.
    5. Purnima, P. & Jayanti, S., 2017. "Water neutrality and waste heat management in ethanol reformer - HTPEMFC integrated system for on-board hydrogen generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 169-179.
    6. Pei, Pucheng & Chen, Huicui, 2014. "Main factors affecting the lifetime of Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells in vehicle applications: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 60-75.
    7. Ribeirinha, P. & Abdollahzadeh, M. & Sousa, J.M. & Boaventura, M. & Mendes, A., 2017. "Modelling of a high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell integrated with a methanol steam reformer cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 6-19.
    8. Thomas, Sobi & Vang, Jakob Rabjerg & Araya, Samuel Simon & Kær, Søren Knudsen, 2017. "Experimental study to distinguish the effects of methanol slip and water vapour on a high temperature PEM fuel cell at different operating conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 422-436.
    9. Víctor Sanz i López & Ramon Costa-Castelló & Carles Batlle, 2022. "Literature Review of Energy Management in Combined Heat and Power Systems Based on High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells for Residential Comfort Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-22, September.
    10. Wu, Wei & Chuang, Bo-Neng & Hwang, Jenn-Jiang & Lin, Chien-Kung & Yang, Shu-Bo, 2019. "Techno-economic evaluation of a hybrid fuel cell vehicle with on-board MeOH-to-H2 processor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 401-412.
    11. Ribeirinha, P. & Abdollahzadeh, M. & Pereira, A. & Relvas, F. & Boaventura, M. & Mendes, A., 2018. "High temperature PEM fuel cell integrated with a cellular membrane methanol steam reformer: Experimental and modelling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 659-669.
    12. Ribeirinha, P. & Abdollahzadeh, M. & Boaventura, M. & Mendes, A., 2017. "H2 production with low carbon content via MSR in packed bed membrane reactors for high-temperature polymeric electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 409-419.
    13. Tribioli, Laura & Cozzolino, Raffaello & Chiappini, Daniele & Iora, Paolo, 2016. "Energy management of a plug-in fuel cell/battery hybrid vehicle with on-board fuel processing," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 140-154.
    14. Hyunyong Lee & Inchul Jung & Gilltae Roh & Youngseung Na & Hokeun Kang, 2020. "Comparative Analysis of On-Board Methane and Methanol Reforming Systems Combined with HT-PEM Fuel Cell and CO 2 Capture/Liquefaction System for Hydrogen Fueled Ship Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-25, January.

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