Techno-economic assessment and multi-objective optimization of a hybrid methanol-reforming proton exchange membrane fuel cell system with cascading energy utilization

Kun Cheng, Jinshuai Wang, Yunlin Shao, Lianyan Fu, Zhengxiang Wu, Yuxin Zhang, Jiahao Yang, Kaiyao Wu, Yang Zhang, Weidong Chen, Xin Huang, Chuan Ma and Jingyu Ran

Energy, 2024, vol. 313, issue C

Abstract: This article proposes an innovative tri-generation system aimed at improving the efficiency of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) combined methanol steam reforming (MSR) setups. The proposed system merges MSR-PEMFC with an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) and Latent-thermal energy storage (LTES) to produce heat, electricity, and purified water concurrently. The MSR process, using methanol and water, acts as a hydrogen source for the PEMFC. Waste heat from the reforming reaction and PEMFC exhaust gases is efficiently recuperated through ORC and LTES. Moreover, a composite phase change material comprising 8 % expanded graphite and 92% industrial paraffin wax is formulated for LTES, exhibiting a thermal conductivity of 4.65 Wm−1K−1. Parametric analysis of the methanol-reforming fuel cell system suggests a methanol to water mass ratio of 1.5 and a pressure swing absorption shunt fraction of 0.77. Multi-objective optimization of the recovery system using the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II algorithm is conducted, with objective functions including tri-generation system exergy efficiency, CO2 emission reduction, and total cost to evaluate system thermodynamic, environmental, and economic performance, respectively. The ORC system employing R245fa and R600 yields 27 % more electricity than the R152a-based system, with exergy efficiencies approximately twice as high. Compared to conventional systems, the proposed tri-generation system achieves an energy efficiency of 81 % and exhibits a 22 % enhancement in energy efficiency.

Keywords: Proton exchange membrane fuel cell; Methanol steam reforming; Multi-objective optimization; Organic Rankine cycle; Thermal energy storage; Integrated power generation system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:313:y:2024:i:c:s036054422403634x

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.133856

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