Thermo-economic and performance analysis of a novel tubular hybrid high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell and thermoelectric generator

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel tubular design for a hybrid high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) and thermoelectric generator (TEG) system. The wasted heat from the fuel cell is captured by a thermoelectric generator to generate more electricity. Hence, the primary objective of the research is to determine the waste heat recovery performance of the TEG for thermal management of the tubular HT-PEMFC. A validated 3D numerical approach was employed to evaluate the performance of the tubular hybrid system with a tubular TEG integrated into the HT-PEMFC. A parametric study evaluates the impact of various TEG geometrical configurations and operational parameters on the system's performance. The results indicate that boosting the cell voltage improves the fuel cell efficiency, while decreasing the thermoelectric sizing has a notable impact on the TEG's performance. The TEG's conversion efficiency and output power are significantly impacted by changes in the angle ratio and the temperature of the cold side. Increasing the inlet temperature has a positive impact on thermoelectric power generation but leads to a reduction in fuel cell power and efficiency. Overall, the study highlights the importance of optimizing the operating conditions of hybrid tubular HT-PEMFC/TEG to achieve optimal performance and provides valuable insights for the design and development of hybrid energy systems that can potentially contribute to meet the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions.