IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v401y2025ipcs0306261925014904.html

A hydrogen supply system utilizing PEMFC exhaust heat and modular metal hydride tanks for hydrogen-powered bicycles

Author

Listed:
  • Miao, Shan
  • Ezawa, Tomoya
  • Sumita, Masami
  • Harano, Koki
  • Imai, Ayane
  • Katayama, Noboru
  • Dowaki, Kiyoshi

Abstract

A compact hydrogen supply system for thermally integrating metal hydride (MH) tanks with a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) for a hydrogen-powered electric-assist bicycle (H-bike) is proposed. The system recovers the exhaust heat generated by the PEMFC to sustain hydrogen desorption and improve the system's energy efficiency. The results demonstrate that the split-tank strategy decreases thermal and pressure gradients and enhances heat transfer and hydrogen release. The honeycomb tank configuration further improves hydrogen desorption by promoting uniform airflow distribution around each tank, thereby improving exhaust heat utilization from the PEMFC. It employs a layer-adjustable configuration, facilitating the flexible adaptation of MH cartridge quantities to meet hydrogen demand and prevailing road conditions in urban areas. Under a PEMFC power output of 215 W, the system maintains a stable hydrogen flow rate for over 30 min, with a heat recovery efficiency of 22.62 %. Furthermore, increasing the number of MH cartridge layers significantly improves the thermal utilization of the system, achieving a utilization efficiency of 39.90 % with two layers. These findings confirm the feasibility and scalability of the proposed system for H-bike, highlighting its potential as a decentralized hydrogen supply solution for lightweight mobility and urban transportation applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Miao, Shan & Ezawa, Tomoya & Sumita, Masami & Harano, Koki & Imai, Ayane & Katayama, Noboru & Dowaki, Kiyoshi, 2025. "A hydrogen supply system utilizing PEMFC exhaust heat and modular metal hydride tanks for hydrogen-powered bicycles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 401(PC).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:401:y:2025:i:pc:s0306261925014904
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126760
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261925014904
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126760?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xia, Lingchao & Ni, Meng & Xu, Qidong & Xu, Haoran & Zheng, Keqing, 2021. "Optimization of catalyst layer thickness for achieving high performance and low cost of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    2. Yang, Yuchen & Wu, Zhen & Wang, Bofei & Yao, Jing & Yang, Fusheng & Zhang, Zaoxiao & Ren, Jianwei, 2024. "Efficient water recovery and power generation system based on air-cooled fuel cell with semi-closed cathode circulation mode," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 364(C).
    3. Lan, Yuncheng & Lu, Junhui & Mu, Lianbo & Wang, Suilin & Zhai, Huixing, 2023. "Waste heat recovery from exhausted gas of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell to produce hydrogen using thermoelectric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    4. Majlan, E.H. & Rohendi, D. & Daud, W.R.W. & Husaini, T. & Haque, M.A., 2018. "Electrode for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 117-134.
    5. Brown, Marilyn A. & Herrera, Valentina Sanmiguel, 2021. "Combined heat and power as a platform for clean energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    6. Chen, Qin & Zhang, Guobin & Zhang, Xuzhong & Sun, Cheng & Jiao, Kui & Wang, Yun, 2021. "Thermal management of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: A review of cooling methods, material properties, and durability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    7. Chen, Tianyu & Shu, Gequn & Tian, Hua & Zhao, Tingting & Zhang, Hongfei & Zhang, Zhao, 2020. "Performance evaluation of metal-foam baffle exhaust heat exchanger for waste heat recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    8. Qusay Hassan & Itimad D. J. Azzawi & Aws Zuhair Sameen & Hayder M. Salman, 2023. "Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles: Opportunities and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-26, July.
    9. Bai, Xiao-Shuai & Rong, Long & Yang, Wei-Wei & Yang, Fu-Sheng, 2023. "Effective thermal conductivity of metal hydride particle bed: Theoretical model and experimental validation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    10. Tchanche, Bertrand F. & Lambrinos, Gr. & Frangoudakis, A. & Papadakis, G., 2011. "Low-grade heat conversion into power using organic Rankine cycles – A review of various applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(8), pages 3963-3979.
    11. Hieu, Le Trong & Lim, Ock Taeck, 2024. "Deep learning application in fuel cell electric bicycle to optimize bicycle performance and energy consumption under the effect of key input parameters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 369(C).
    12. Wang, Yuhang & Dai, Hui & Cao, Hongmei & Zhou, Shaobin & Gao, Ming & Sun, Fengzhong & Liu, Jiangwei & Han, Kuihua & Jiang, Jianguo, 2024. "Performance optimization study on the thermal management system of proton exchange membrane fuel cell based on metal hydride hydrogen storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    13. Giap, Van-Tien & Lee, Young Duk & Kim, Young Sang & Ahn, Kook Young, 2020. "A novel electrical energy storage system based on a reversible solid oxide fuel cell coupled with metal hydrides and waste steam," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    14. Gabriele Scarpati & Julián A. Puszkiel & Jan Warfsmann & Fahim Karimi & Elio Jannelli & Claudio Pistidda & Thomas Klassen & Julian Jepsen, 2025. "Comprehensive Overview of the Effective Thermal Conductivity for Hydride Materials: Experimental and Modeling Approaches," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-56, January.
    15. Chiharu Misaki & Daisuke Hara & Noboru Katayama & Kiyoshi Dowaki, 2020. "Improvement of Power Capacity of Electric-Assisted Bicycles Using Fuel Cells with Metal Hydride," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-17, November.
    16. Mu Chai & Jiahui Tan & Lingwei Gao & Zhenan Liu & Yong Chen & Kuanfang He & Mian Jiang, 2022. "Effects of Different Heat Transfer Conditions on the Hydrogen Desorption Performance of a Metal Hydride Hydrogen Storage Tank," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-16, November.
    17. Vamsi Krishna Kukkapalli & Sunwoo Kim & Seth A. Thomas, 2023. "Thermal Management Techniques in Metal Hydrides for Hydrogen Storage Applications: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-27, April.
    18. Zhang, Xin & Li, Jingwen & Xiong, Yi & Ang, Yee Sin, 2022. "Efficient harvesting of low-grade waste heat from proton exchange membrane fuel cells via thermoradiative power devices," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    19. Yu, Yongsheng & Zheng, Weibo & Li, Bing & Zhang, Cunman & Ming, Pingwen, 2025. "A comprehensive review of cold start in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells: Challenges, strategies, and prospects," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 390(C).
    20. Najmi, Aezid-Ul-Hassan & Wahab, Abdul & Prakash, Rohith & Schopen, Oliver & Esch, Thomas & Shabani, Bahman, 2025. "Thermal management of fuel cell-battery electric vehicles: Challenges and solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 387(C).
    21. Robert Herrendörfer & Magali Cochet & Jürgen O. Schumacher, 2022. "Simulation of Mass and Heat Transfer in an Evaporatively Cooled PEM Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-33, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Liang, Zheng & Liang, Yingzong & Luo, Xianglong & Yu, Zhibin & Chen, Jianyong & Chen, Ying, 2024. "Multi-objective optimization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell based methanol-solar-to-X hybrid energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 373(C).
    2. Gabriele Scarpati & Julián A. Puszkiel & Jan Warfsmann & Fahim Karimi & Elio Jannelli & Claudio Pistidda & Thomas Klassen & Julian Jepsen, 2025. "Comprehensive Overview of the Effective Thermal Conductivity for Hydride Materials: Experimental and Modeling Approaches," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-56, January.
    3. Krystof Foniok & Lubomira Drozdova & Lukas Prokop & Filip Krupa & Pavel Kedron & Vojtech Blazek, 2025. "Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-64, April.
    4. Tan, Piqiang & Xu, Lisong & Fang, Liang & Zhuang, Caihua & Jiang, Zijian & Lou, Diming & Zhang, Yunhua & Hu, Zhiyuan, 2025. "Energy analysis and efficiency optimization of a fuel cell passenger vehicle based on energy flow distribution and thermal management under various driving conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    5. Najmi, Aezid-Ul-Hassan & Wahab, Abdul & Prakash, Rohith & Schopen, Oliver & Esch, Thomas & Shabani, Bahman, 2025. "Thermal management of fuel cell-battery electric vehicles: Challenges and solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 387(C).
    6. Arkadiusz Małek & Andrzej Marciniak, 2025. "Operational Analysis of Power Generation from a Photovoltaic–Wind Mix and Low-Emission Hydrogen Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-25, May.
    7. Xie, Jian & Xu, Jinliang & Liang, Cong & She, Qingting & Li, Mingjia, 2019. "A comprehensive understanding of enhanced condensation heat transfer using phase separation concept," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 661-674.
    8. He, Chao & Liu, Chao & Zhou, Mengtong & Xie, Hui & Xu, Xiaoxiao & Wu, Shuangying & Li, Yourong, 2014. "A new selection principle of working fluids for subcritical organic Rankine cycle coupling with different heat sources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 283-291.
    9. Larsen, Ulrik & Pierobon, Leonardo & Haglind, Fredrik & Gabrielii, Cecilia, 2013. "Design and optimisation of organic Rankine cycles for waste heat recovery in marine applications using the principles of natural selection," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 803-812.
    10. Bamorovat Abadi, Gholamreza & Kim, Kyung Chun, 2017. "Investigation of organic Rankine cycles with zeotropic mixtures as a working fluid: Advantages and issues," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1000-1013.
    11. Ding, L.C. & Akbarzadeh, A. & Tan, L., 2018. "A review of power generation with thermoelectric system and its alternative with solar ponds," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 799-812.
    12. Liu, Guoqiu & Li, Zhengyan & Chen, Lei & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2025. "Multi-objective optimization design and numerical analysis of air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell with bamboo flow field based on neural network model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 399(C).
    13. Mou, Xiaofeng & Zhou, Wei & Bao, Zewei & Huang, Weixing, 2024. "Effective thermal conductivity of LaNi5 powder beds for hydrogen storage: Measurement and theoretical analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    14. Lan, Yuncheng & Lu, Junhui & Wang, Suilin, 2023. "Study of the geometry and structure of a thermoelectric leg with variable material properties and side heat dissipation based on thermodynamic, economic, and environmental analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    15. Zahid Kausar, A.S.M. & Reza, Ahmed Wasif & Saleh, Mashad Uddin & Ramiah, Harikrishnan, 2014. "Energizing wireless sensor networks by energy harvesting systems: Scopes, challenges and approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 973-989.
    16. Roberto Pili & Hartmut Spliethoff & Christoph Wieland, 2017. "Dynamic Simulation of an Organic Rankine Cycle—Detailed Model of a Kettle Boiler," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-28, April.
    17. Li, Jisen & Zhao, Dongqi & Wang, Yuren & Xie, Liang & Zhou, Ze & Zhang, Liyan & Chen, Qihong, 2025. "PEM fuel cell platinum distributions optimization under typical scenarios utilizing multiple health and efficiency indicators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 400(C).
    18. Krail, Jürgen & Beckmann, Georg & Schittl, Florian & Piringer, Gerhard, 2023. "Comparative thermodynamic analysis of an improved ORC process with integrated injection of process fluid," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    19. Hammar, Linus & Ehnberg, Jimmy & Mavume, Alberto & Cuamba, Boaventura C. & Molander, Sverker, 2012. "Renewable ocean energy in the Western Indian Ocean," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4938-4950.
    20. Sikarwar, Shailesh Singh & Surywanshi, Gajanan Dattarao & Patnaikuni, Venkata Suresh & Kakunuri, Manohar & Vooradi, Ramsagar, 2020. "Chemical looping combustion integrated Organic Rankine Cycled biomass-fired power plant – Energy and exergy analyses," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 931-949.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:401:y:2025:i:pc:s0306261925014904. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.