Impact of Reformer/Burner Thermal Integration on the Efficiency and Dynamic Response of an Onboard Fuel Processor in an Indirect Methanol Fuel Cell Vehicle

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sitaram Ramaswamy ◽  
Meena Sundaresan ◽  
Robert M. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Dynamic Response ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Cell Vehicle ◽  
Pure Hydrogen ◽  
Fuel Processor ◽  
Catalytic Burner ◽  
Thermal Integration ◽  
Alternative Sources

Abstract Using a fuel other than pure hydrogen in a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) employing a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack typically requires an on-board fuel processor to provide hydrogen-rich fuel to the stack. On board fuel processors that generate hydrogen from on-board liquid methanol (and other Hydrocarbons) have been proposed as possible alternative sources of hydrogen needed by the fuel cell. This paper focuses on a methanol fueled fuel processor that using steam reformation process to generate hydrogen. The reformation process involves a steam reformer and a catalytic burner (which provides the necessary energy for the endothermic steam reforming reactions to occur). This paper focuses on the importance of reformer/burner thermal integration and its impact on the dynamic response of the fuel processor. The model uses MATLAB/Simulink software and the simulation provides results for both dynamic response and energy efficiency.

Modeling a Catalytic Combustor for a Steam Reformer in a Methanol Fuel Cell Vehicle

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meena Sundaresan ◽  
Sitaram Ramaswamy ◽  
Robert M. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Cell Vehicle ◽  
Pure Hydrogen ◽  
Steam Reformer ◽  
Fuel Processor ◽  
Catalytic Burner ◽  
Catalytic Combustor ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Abstract Using a fuel other than pure hydrogen in a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) employing a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack typically requires an on-board fuel processor to provide hydrogen-rich fuel to the stack. In the case of methanol as the source fuel, the reformation process typically occurs in a fuel processor that combines a steam reformer plus a catalytic burner (to provide the necessary energy for the endothermic steam reforming reactions to occur). This paper will discuss a model for the catalytic burner in a methanol fuel processor for an Indirect Methanol FCV. The model uses MATLAB/Simulink software and the simulation provides results for both energy efficiency and pollutant formation.

A self-sustained, complete and miniaturized methanol fuel processor for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

2015 ◽  
Vol 287 ◽  
pp. 100-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Yang ◽  
Fengjun Jiao ◽  
Shulian Li ◽  
Hengqiang Li ◽  
Guangwen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Processor ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Development of a Micro-Structured Methanol Fuel Processor Coupled to a High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 1739-1747 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Kolb ◽  
K.-P. Schelhaas ◽  
M. Wichert ◽  
J. Burfeind ◽  
C. Heßke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Processor ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The Current Status of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Development in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingruo Hu
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Cell Vehicle ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Passenger Cars ◽  
Cell Technology ◽  
Fuel Cell Technology

Abstract Potentially large amount of hydrogen resource in China could theoretically supply 100 × 106 fuel cell passenger cars yearly. The Chinese government highly values the hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Policies and plans have been put forward densely in the recent five years. Numerous companies, research institutes, and universities are developing proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)-related technologies. A preliminary local supplier chain of fuel cell-related technology has been formed. However, the lifetime is still a key issue for the fuel cell technology. More than 3500 fuel cell range extender electric vehicles were manufactured during 2016 and 2018, and at the beginning of 2019, there have been more than 40 hydrogen refueling stations including both under operation and under construction. It is estimated the number of fuel cell-based electric vehicles will reach 36,000 by the end of 2020; therefore, lack of hydrogen refueling station has become a key restriction for development of the fuel cell vehicle industry.

Analysis of the Co-Generation Potential of a 5 kW PEMFC From Experimentally Determined Performance Data

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Do Val ◽  
A. F. Orlando ◽  
C. E. R. Siqueira ◽  
J. Oexmann
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Total Efficiency ◽  
Fuel Processor ◽  
A Value ◽  
Cell Energy ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Energy Balances ◽  
Exchange Membrane

A 5 kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with a reformer has been installed and tested at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Brazil, aiming the experimental determination of its performance and co-generation potential to increase the fuel chemical energy usage. The unit uses a fuel processor to convert energy from natural gas into hydrogen rich reformate. The fuel cell is totally instrumented, supplying data for calculating the overall system efficiency (total efficiency), reformer efficiency, stack efficiency, conversion efficiency (DC/AC), and co-generation potential, at previously set up output powers of 2,5 kW and 4 kW. The paper details the equations required for calculating the parameters, both theoretically, from thermodynamics and electrochemics points of view, and experimentally, from mass and energy balances, comparing the results. Steady state data were taken at 13 different days, resulting in reformer, stack, conversion and total average efficiencies, together with the calculated standard deviation. It was also found that the energy loss in the reformer and in the stack are approximately the same. The co-generation potential was estimated by calculating the heat rejected by the stack and the heat rejected in the reformer, giving a value of 67,5% and 68,9%, respectively for 2,5 kW and 4 kW. Therefore, co-generation can substantially reduce the fuel cell energy cost, and thus increasing the feasibility of its use.

Design and Experimental Characterization of a High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Radu ◽  
Nicola Zuliani ◽  
Rodolfo Taccani
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Pure Hydrogen ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells based on polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymers and phosphoric acid can be operated at temperature between 120 °C and 180 °C. Reactant humidification is not required and CO content up to 1% in the fuel can be tolerated, only marginally affecting performance. This is what makes high-temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cells very attractive, as low quality reformed hydrogen can be used and water management problems are avoided. From an experimental point of view, the major research effort up to now was dedicated to the development and study of high-temperature membranes, especially to development of acid-doped PBI type membranes. Some studies were dedicated to the experimental analysis of single cells and only very few to the development and characterization of high-temperature stacks. This work aims to provide more experimental data regarding high-temperature fuel cell stacks, operated with hydrogen but also with different types of reformates. The main design features and the performance curves obtained with a three-cell air-cooled stack are presented. The stack was tested on a broad temperature range, between 120 and 180 °C, with pure hydrogen and gas mixtures containing up to 2% of CO, simulating the output of a typical methanol reformer. With pure hydrogen, at 180 °C, the considered stack is able to deliver electrical power of 31 W at 1.8 V. With a mixture containing 2% of carbon monoxide, in the same conditions, the performance drops to 24 W. The tests demonstrated that the performance loss caused by operation with reformates, can be partially compensated by a higher stack temperature.

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