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Application of thermoelectric devices in performance optimization of a domestic PEMFC-based CHP system

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  • Zou, Wen-Jiang
  • Shen, Kun-Yang
  • Jung, Seunghun
  • Kim, Young-Bae

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)-based combined heat and power (CHP) hybrid system is a promising power source to achieve residential energy independence because it can generate electricity and heat simultaneously. However, a large amount of energy waste remains because the ratio of electricity and heat output fluctuates with the end user requirement. A thermoelectric generator (TEG) is introduced to enhance the power output of the PEMFC-CHP hybrid system. It can also increase system performance and alleviate the mismatch between energy supply and demand. This research establishes a comprehensive model of the PEMFC-TEG-CHP hybrid system to deeply analyze its operating mechanism and optimize power output performance. The corresponding experimental setup is built to validate its availability of the proposed model. Results reveal that the conversion efficiency of TEG is 0.408% when converting heat to electric power from a 5 kW PEMFC-based CHP hybrid system. Furthermore, the total hybrid system efficiency can reach 85.1% with increments in the electrical efficiency and the energy efficiency of the CHP system of 0.325% and 0.129%, respectively, by exploiting 30-unit TEG modules. The present study demonstrates the feasibility of the PEMFC-TEG-CHP system and implies the promising future of low-grade heat energy recovery using TEGs.

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  • Zou, Wen-Jiang & Shen, Kun-Yang & Jung, Seunghun & Kim, Young-Bae, 2021. "Application of thermoelectric devices in performance optimization of a domestic PEMFC-based CHP system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:229:y:2021:i:c:s0360544221009464
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.120698
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    Cited by:

    1. Ahmad Baroutaji & Arun Arjunan & John Robinson & Tabbi Wilberforce & Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem & Abdul Ghani Olabi, 2021. "PEMFC Poly-Generation Systems: Developments, Merits, and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-31, October.
    2. Fan, Lixin & Liu, Yang & Luo, Xiaobing & Tu, Zhengkai & Chan, Siew Hwa, 2023. "Comparison and evaluation of mega watts proton exchange membrane fuel cell combined heat and power system under different waste heat recovery methods," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 295-305.
    3. Tie-Qing Zhang & Seunghun Jung & Young-Bae Kim, 2022. "Hydrogen Production System through Dimethyl Ether Autothermal Reforming, Based on Model Predictive Control," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Fan, Lixin & Tu, Zhengkai & Chan, Siew Hwa, 2022. "Technological and Engineering design of a megawatt proton exchange membrane fuel cell system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).

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