Advanced performance analysis and life cycle assessment of a coupled system: MSR, LT-PEMFC and spray flash desalination

Ruihang Gao, Benan Cai, Yuqi Zhao, Rong Wang, Xunjian Che, Haijun Wang and Weihua Cai

Energy, 2025, vol. 323, issue C

Abstract: This paper presents a novel combined water and power system based on a low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell, which offers an efficient solution for enhancing the overall sustainability of hydrogen energy systems. The system's performance is comprehensively evaluated using an integrated energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental (4E) analysis approach. Advanced methods in energy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analysis are then applied to investigate the specific reasons of internal exergy destruction in the system components. Finally, the boundary conditions of the combined water and power system are established, and a life cycle assessment is conducted using the ecoinvent database to evaluate the system's carbon emissions and ecological impact. The results show that the LT-PEMFC haves the highest exergy destruction (13.26 kW), accounting for 85.4 % of the total cost of exergy destruction, while generating an environmental emission of 692.85 Pt/h(weighted). Advanced performance analysis further reveals that the primary components contributing to exergy destruction are the LT-PEMFC, Reformer, and Combustor. Consequently, these three components should be prioritized during the optimization process. This study not only identifies the causes of exergy destruction in each component but also analyzes their exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental impacts, providing valuable data support for future system optimization and clearly defining the optimization priorities for each component.

Keywords: Methanol stream reforming; LT-PEMFC; Spray flash desalination; 4E analysis; Advanced performance analysis; Life cycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:323:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225015014

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135859

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