Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Research Articles

A Theoretical Study on the Simultaneous Hydrogen Production and Consumption in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell/Battery Electric Vehicles

Hybrid electric vehicles are new technologies that will be used in future transportation networks in response to the need for sustainable development of environmentally friendly processes. Some of the energy sources used to develop these vehicles are batteries and proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells (FCs), which cannot guarantee the energy required for life in the long term. Electricity storage systems (ESSs) such as the Ultra Batteries (UBs) are suitable candidates for solving the FC transient response issues. The combination of FCs and UBs in electric vehicles is called Fuel Cell Batteries Electric Vehicles (FCBEVs). In this work, an energy consumption model is adopted to simulate the performance of a FCBEV, by considering the power losses of various components, such as the FC, electric motor, the state of charge (SOC) of the battery, and breaks as well as by implementing a reinforcement-learning energy management strategy (EMS), pursuing this scope through the optimization of the hydrogen fuel consumption. In this regard, the motor prototype, after a transient period of around 2.5 min, was able to reach a number of runs equal to 2000, remaining stable for 10 min before coming down to zero.

A multi-criteria optimization for a CCHP with the fuel cell as primary mover using modified Harris Hawks optimization

ABSTRACT An effective way of increasing the effectiveness, energy use decline, and reducing emissions are the Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) system. In this paper, an optimization procedure based on a new modified metaheuristic method, called Modified Harris Hawks Optimization (MHHO) algorithm has been introduced for developing the efficiency of the Combined CHP system in with regards to the economics, environment, and thermodynamics assessment. The CCHP system includes a 5-kW Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell stack for increasing efficiency. To validate the capability of the suggested algorithm, it first verified by some different metaheuristics, and then, it is used for the optimization of the CCHP system. A comparison of the outcomes of the suggested MHHO algorithm with the basic HHO algorithm and also NSGA-II from the literature is carried out to show lower operating temperature, and higher relative humidity, greenhouse gas emission decline, exergy performance of the system, and pressure of inlet gases for the suggested method. Simulation results showed that by growing the current mass, the annual greenhouse gas value is amplified to the maximum value of 15.65 × 106 g at 896 mA/cm2 and is decreased until the power variation in the system has been equivalent. The results also indicated that the suggested MHHO algorithm gives maximum value for the annual GHG reduction of about 4.50 e6 g and 50.1% exergy efficiency during with 3.07e7 g annual cost decreasing.

Design, Modeling and Energy Management of a PEM Fuel Cell / Supercapacitor Hybrid Vehicle

This work concerns the study and the modeling of hybrid Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell electric vehicle. In fact, the paper deals with the model description of the powertrain which includes two energy sources: a PEM Fuel Cell as a primary source and a supercapacitor as a secondary source. The architecture is two degrees of freedom permitting a stability of the DC bus voltage. The hybridation of primary source with an energy storage system can improve vehicle dynamic response during transients and hydrogen consumption. The proposed energy management algorithm allows us to have a minimum hydrogen consumption. This algorithm is based on supercapacitor state of charge (SOC) control and acceleration/deceleration phases making possible braking energy recovery. The proposed model is simulated and tested using Matlab/Simulink software allowing rapid transitions between sources. The obtained results with the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) cycle demonstrate a 22% gain in hydrogen consumption.

Automated Calculation of Thermodynamic Potential Applied for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Energy sources are the utility main important aspect in our daily basic life. However, their cost of operation, installation or maintenance is continuously growing to be highly expensive and to this, the solution is by encouraging the usages of recently famous renewable energy, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell. However, this PEM Fuel Cell is not widespread and still new in Malaysia as well as the research is still in the initial stage. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to design the Automated Calculation of Thermodynamic Potential Applied for PEM Fuel Cell. In this project, two different steps will take place. First, the implementation of block parameters of PEM Fuel Cell via MATLAB simulink software (*.mdl) has been used to calculate the hydrogen pressure against Thermodynamic Potential (Enernst) value and temperature against Enernst. In order to ensure that the calculation is accurate, these two different values will be compared with the theoretical calculations. Next, the development of Graphical User Interface (GUI) by using Microsoft Visual Studio is implemented. This GUI is prepared in order to create the application of Automated Calculation of Thermodynamic Potential Applied for PEM Fuel Cell. As a result, the new developed application system is expected to automatically calculate the nominal efficiency and the thermodynamic potential value of PEM Fuel Cell.

Fuel Cell – Ultra Capacitor hybrid system for Grid Connected Applications

Fuel cells are considered as one of the most promising devices for standalone/grid connected distributed generations due to its cleanliness, modularity and higher potential capability. In the present energy scenario, Fuel cells combined with other renewable technologies are gaining attraction. This paper focuses on the combination of Fuel Cell (FC) and Ultra-Capacitor (UC) systems for sustained power generation. Model of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell have been developed in the MATLAB/Simulink Environment. To supply the required hydrogen moles, Electrolyzer model was developed. Hydrogen storage tank was modeled such that the generated moles of hydrogen from the electrolyzer are stored in the storage tank and the fuel cell receives the required amount of hydrogen moles from the storage tank rather than the electrolyzer. The combined system was synchronized to the grid and when the load demand exceeds the capacity of the fuel cell system, then the additional power is supplied by the grid thus ensuring continuity of supply to the load. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v12i6.5052 Full Text: PDF

A Dynamic Model with Material Properties for the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

An equivalent circuit model of the PEM fuel cell is built to study the voltage dynamic response during load change. A mathematical model is built to simulate the voltage response during load change. The simulation results fit the test results very well. Then the model is applied to predict the limiting operation condition of the fuel cell. The model also provides a reference to design PEM fuel cell control modes.

Nanoshell-Containing Carbon Cathode Catalyst for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell from Herbaceous Plants Lignin

Nanoshell-containing carbon (NSCC) is one of the Pt-surrogate catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) invented by us to promote oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the cathode reaction of the cell. In the present study, we selected one of renewable resources, lignin from herbaceous plants as the carbon precursor for NSCC. The lignin was admixed with cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc), the nanoshell (NS) forming catalyst, and then carbonized at 1000℃. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the formation of NS structure. The ORR activity of the prepared NSCC increased with the amount of CoPc, and the activity of lignin-based NSCC was higher than that of phenol-formaldehyde resin-based NSCC with the same amount of CoPc added. Surface analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed no metal species on the NSCC but higher N/C ratio for the lignin-based NSCC by two folds. This study shows the possibility of lignin as a precursor of NSCC cathode catalyst for PEMFC.

Life Cycle Cost Analysis of the Fuel Cell Bus Based on Chinese Bus Cycle

During the project: Electric Hybrid Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Transit Buses in China, the authors set up a model to calculate the life cycle cost of fuel cell bus (FCB). The model includes acquisition cost, fuel consumption cost and maintenance cost. In addition, the authors also take the government subsidies into account. After calculating, we see the cost of fuel cell is the most sensitive part of FCB life cycle cost. Using the model, we compared different bus life cycle costs. The result shows that FCB life cycle cost is 5 times more than the current diesel bus.

Analysis of Heat Transport in a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

In this study a two-phases, single-domain and non-isothermal model of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell has been studied to investigate thermal management effects on fuel cell performance. A set of governing equations, conservation of mass, momentum, species, energy and charge for gas diffusion layers, catalyst layers and the membrane regions are considered. These equations are solved numerically in a single domain, using finite-volume-based computational fluid dynamics technique. Also the effects of four critical parameters that are thermal conductivity of gas diffusion layer, relative humidity, operating temperature and current density on the PEM fuel cell performance is investigated. In low operating temperatures the resistance within the membrane increases and this could cause rapid decrease in potential. High operating temperature would also reduce transport losses and it would lead to increase in electrochemical reaction rate. This could virtually result in decreasing the cell potential due to an increasing water vapor partial pressure and the membrane water dehydration. Another significant result is that the temperature distribution in GDL is almost linear but within membrane is highly non-linear. However at low current density the temperature across all regions of the cell dose not change significantly. The cell potential increases with relative humidity and improved hydration which reduces ohmic losses. Also the temperature within the cell is much higher with reduced GDL thermal conductivities. The numerical model which is developed is validated with published experimental data and the results are in good agreement.

Analysis of Heat Transport in a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Analysis of Heat Transport in a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Analysis of Heat Transport in a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Analysis of Heat Transport in a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell