Utilization Of Thermal Energy Research Articles

Performance investigation of multi-functional series-connected building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal system and analysis of its multi-objective optimization design strategy

The series-connected building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPVT) system can significantly increase the terminal temperature and achieve both power generation and heating. However, its utilization of thermal energy is limited. Airborne infectious diseases threaten indoor occupant health. Pathogenic microorganisms can be thermally inactivated, and the effectiveness of inactivation is positively correlated with exposure temperature and duration. Therefore, series-connected BIPVT system has the potential for air thermal disinfection. Based on this, a multifunctional series-connected BIPVT system that provides heating, power generation, and air purification is proposed. However, these three outputs conflict with each other, and there is a lack of optimized design strategies to maximize the system's overall output. In response, this paper develops a multi-objective optimization strategy for the system and optimizes its design across different climate zones. The main content is as follows: (1) Compared with single-stage systems, series systems can significantly improve air purification performance. The series-connected BIPVT system with the best air purification effect can increase the single-pass inactivation ratio to 100% under the irradiance of 600 W/m2. (2) The glazed photovoltaic/thermal-glazed solar thermal system has the best thermal performance and air purification performance, the thermal efficiency is 38.1% and the clean air delivery rate is 98.6 m3/h under the irradiance of 800 W/m2. (3) Compared to single-objective optimization and non-optimized designs, the multi-objective optimization design achieves the highest technique for order of preference similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) score, which is 0.5968.

Near-field thermal radiation between SiO2/Weyl semimetal multilayers

Weyl semimetals (WSMs) have attracted increasing attention due to their intrinsic anomalous Hall effect and the chiral anomalous effect. In this paper, we investigate the near-field radiative heat transfer (NFRHT) between two SiO2/WSM multilayers. We find that, the SiO2/WSM multilayers support hybrid photon modes, which enable a higher heat flux than the WSM configuration and the SiO2 configuration as well. The tunable number of Weyl nodes and Fermi level of the WSM plates empower the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) to be dynamically controlled. In addition, regarding the influence of the geometry, there exists a tradeoff in terms of the dependence of filling ratio, and a larger period number is adverse to the improvement of NFRHT. We hope that our work will be beneficial for thermal management and energy utilization in nanoscale multilayer WSM-based systems.

Research on green manufacturing process optimization based on thermal efficiency optimization and LCA technology

In the context of sustainable development and increasing awareness of environmental protection, the manufacturing industry faces the dual challenge of improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. This study aims to explore the optimization scheme of green manufacturing process through the combination of thermal efficiency optimization and life cycle assessment (LCA) technology, and promote the sustainable development of manufacturing industry. In this paper, a combination of experimental and theoretical analysis is used to first evaluate the thermal energy utilization rate in the current manufacturing process and identify the existing energy waste. Subsequently, the thermal efficiency was improved by introducing an improved heat recovery system and optimizing process parameters. Using LCA technology, the environmental impact assessment of the manufacturing process before and after optimization is carried out to quantify the effect of the optimization measures. Studies have shown that through thermal efficiency optimization, energy consumption in manufacturing processes is reduced and greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced.

Fins-nanoparticle combination for phase change material enhancement in a triplex tube heat exchanger: A numerical approach to thermal sustainability

Many phase change materials exhibit low thermal conductivity, leading to incomplete melting and solidification processes. To address this issue, researchers have numerically explored the integration of alumina nanoparticles (Al2O3) with paraffin (RT82), a phase change material with a solidification temperature of 65 °C, in a triplex-tube heat exchanger. The phase change material model with internal longitudinal fins employed the both-sides freezing technique and was conducted using Ansys Fluent software, employing the enthalpy-porosity method within a finite-volume framework to model the phase change material behavior during both melting and solidification phases. This methodology aims to significantly improve the thermal performance of thermal energy storage systems by enhancing heat transfer efficiency within the phase change material (PCM), thereby ensuring more effective utilization of stored thermal energy. The numerical findings show that the pure PCM completely solidified in 780 min. By dispersing 1 %, 4 %, 7 %, and 10 % of Al2O3 in the PCM, thermal conductivity improved by 3 %, 12.5 %, 22.5 %, and 32.5 %, respectively. Additionally, the inclusion of nano-PCM reduced the solidification time. This research also compares the overall energy release in two different situations: PCM with and without nanoparticles. The computer-generated simulation results closely correlated with the practical experimentation results.

Preparation and thermal stability research of oxalic acid dihydrate-glutaric acid/PAMPS phase change gel for solar thermal energy utilization

Thermal energy storage technology based on phase change materials (PCMs) can address the temporal and spatial mismatches in solar thermal energy conversion, thereby enhancing solar energy utilization efficiency. However, the liquid flow and poor thermal reliability of PCMs limit their large-scale application in solar thermal systems. In this study, we employ a simple “one-pot method” to prepare a form-stable and thermally reliable oxalic acid dihydrate-glutaric acid/poly 2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (OAD-GA/PAMPS) phase change gel. The OAD-GA/PAMPS phase change gel melts at 64.5 °C with a phase change enthalpy of 193.6 kJ/kg, the tensile strength is 7.707 MPa, and the compressive strength is 16.940 MPa. By incorporating 5 wt% BN particles, the thermal conductivity of OAD-GA/PAMPS phase change gel reaches 0.63 W/(m·K). After 200 heating-cooling cycles, the phase change temperature of the OAD-GA/PAMPS phase change gel remains nearly unchanged, and the phase change enthalpy decreases by only 5.7 %. The photo-thermal conversion efficiency of the OAD-GA/PAMPS phase change gel is 82.7 %. The high thermal reliability and photo-thermal conversion efficiency of the OAD-GA/PAMPS phase change gel makes it suitable for solar thermal energy storage applications.

Full-spectrum solar water decomposition for hydrogen production via a concentrating photovoltaic-thermal power generator-solid oxide electrolysis cell system

This study introduces a novel solar-powered concentrating photovoltaic-thermal power generator-solid oxide electrolysis cell system designed to enhance hydrogen production efficiency by optimizing both electrical and thermal energy utilization. The system incorporates a thermal power generator to convert excess high-temperature thermal energy into electrical energy, addressing energy losses associated with high-temperature water electrolysis. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the integration of the thermal power generator improves energy and exergy efficiencies to 0.60 and 0.52, while lowering the optimal operating temperature to 1173 K. The system’s efficiency is sensitive to the proportion of electrical energy supplied by the thermal power generator, with an optimal range identified between 0.1 and 0.2. Higher temperatures improve hydrogen production and efficiency, but increased voltage negatively impacts thermodynamic efficiency. These findings demonstrate that the proposed system offers substantial improvements over conventional solar hydrogen production methods, making it a promising candidate for sustainable hydrogen production. Further research will focus on system integration, material costs, and scalability for commercial use.

Multiphysics Field Coupled to a Numerical Simulation Study on Heavy Oil Reservoir Development via Electromagnetic Heating in a SAGD-like Process

Conventional thermal recovery methods for heavy oil suffer from significant issues such as high water consumption, excessive greenhouse gas emissions, and substantial heat losses. In contrast, electromagnetic heating, as a waterless method for heavy oil recovery, offers numerous advantages, including high thermal energy utilization, reduced carbon emissions, and volumetric heating of the reservoir, making it a focus of recent research in heavy oil thermal recovery technologies. This paper presents a numerical simulation study of electromagnetic heating for heavy oil recovery, using a heavy oil block in the Bohai Bay oilfield in China as a case study. Firstly, a multiphysics field coupled to a mathematical model was established, considering the impact of the temperature on the heavy oil viscosity, the threshold pressure gradient of non-Darcy flow, and the dielectric properties of the reservoir, along with heat dissipation from overlying and undercover sandstone and gravitational effects on fluid flow. Secondly, a numerical simulation method for the coupled multiphysics fields was developed, and the convergence and stability of the numerical simulation method were tested. Finally, a sensitivity analysis based on the numerical simulation results identified the factors affecting heavy oil production. It was found that electromagnetic heating significantly enhances heavy oil production, and the threshold pressure gradient greatly influences the prediction of heavy oil production. Moreover, heat dissipation from the overlying and undercover sandstone severely reduces cumulative oil production. When the production well is located below the electromagnetic heating antenna, larger well spacing results in higher cumulative heavy oil production. Higher heavy oil production is achieved when the antenna is positioned at the center of the reservoir for the studied cases. Power has a big effect on increasing heavy oil production, but its influence diminishes as power increases. There exists an optimal range of electromagnetic frequencies for maximum cumulative production, and higher water saturation leads to poorer electromagnetic heating efficiency. This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for the numerical simulation technology and development plan optimization of heavy oil reservoirs subjected to electromagnetic heating.

Flexible Highly Thermally Conductive PCM Film Prepared by Centrifugal Electrospinning for Wearable Thermal Management

Personal thermal management materials integrated with phase-change materials have significant potential to satisfy human thermal comfort needs and save energy through the efficient storage and utilization of thermal energy. However, conventional organic phase-change materials in a solid state suffer from rigidity, low thermal conductivity, and leakage, making their application challenging. In this work, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was chosen as the phase-change material to provide the energy storage density, polyethylene oxide (PEO) was chosen to provide the backbone structure of the three-dimensional polymer network and cross-linked with the PEG to provide flexibility, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used to improve the mechanical and thermal conductivity of the material. The thermal conductivity of the composite fiber membranes was boosted by 77.1% when CNTs were added at 4 wt%. Water-resistant modification of the composite fiber membranes was successfully performed using glutaraldehyde-saturated steam. The resulting composite fiber membranes had a reasonable range of phase transition temperatures, and the CC4PCF-55 membranes had melting and freezing latent heats of 66.71 J/g and 64.74 J/g, respectively. The results of this study prove that the green CC4PCF-55 composite fiber membranes have excellent flexibility, with good thermal energy storage capacity and thermal conductivity and, therefore, high potential in the field of flexible wearable thermal management textiles.

A theoretical study of thermal properties and structural evolution in binary carbonates phase change material: Machine learning-enhanced sampling strategy.

Thermal energy storage and utilization has been widely concerned due to the intermittency, renewability, and economy of renewable energy. In this paper, the potential energy function of binary Na2CO3-K2CO3 salt was first constructed using the Deep Potential GENerator (DPGEN) enhanced sampling method. Deep potential molecular dynamics simulations were performed to calculate the thermal properties and structural evolution of binary carbonates. The results show that as the temperature increases from 1073 to 1273K, the viscosity and thermal conductivity decrease from 5.011 mPa s and 0.502 W/(m K) to 2.526 mPa s and 0.481 W/(m K), respectively. The decrease in viscosity is related to the distance and interaction between the molten salt ions. In addition, the diffusion coefficients, energy barriers, ionic radius, angular distribution function, and coordination number of molten salt were calculated and analyzed. The CO32- exhibits a stable planar triangular structure. The ionic radius of Na+ is smaller than that of K+, which makes Na+ suffer less spatial hindrance during motion and has a higher diffusion coefficient. The energy barriers that Na+ needs to overcome to escape the Coulomb force is greater than that of K+ ions, so molten salt containing Na+ may possess greater heat storage potential. We believe that the potential function constructed with DPGEN enhanced sampling strategy can provide more convincing results for predicting the thermal properties of molten salts. This paper aims to provide a technical route to develop the novel complex molten salt phase change material for thermal energy storage.

Mathematical optimization strategy for online scheduling of complex manufacturing systems based on thermal energy optimization and fuzzy mathematical model

With the rapid development of the manufacturing industry and the advancement of the intelligent process, the scheduling problem of complex manufacturing systems becomes more and more complicated, especially in the aspect of energy management and optimization. This study aims to propose an online scheduling mathematical optimization strategy based on thermal energy optimization and fuzzy mathematical model, so as to improve the scheduling efficiency and resource allocation rationality of complex manufacturing systems under different production conditions. A scheduling model considering thermal energy utilization rate, production priority and real-time demand is established by using fuzzy mathematics. The model deals with the uncertain factors by fuzzy logic and solves them by genetic algorithm to realize the dynamic adjustment and optimal scheduling of production resources. Through the experimental verification of a complex manufacturing system, the improvement of scheduling efficiency not only reduces the operating cost, but also improves the flexibility and response speed of the system. The fuzzy mathematical model based on thermal energy optimization provides an effective on-line scheduling strategy for complex manufacturing systems, which can realize efficient scheduling and energy management in dynamic environment.

Characteristics of heat and mass transfer in moist air-ionic liquid desiccant bubbly systems: Parametric assessment of regeneration performance

Ionic liquids (ILs) have recently become an increasingly popular working medium for liquid-desiccant deep dehumidification as applied to low-humidity industries and, in particular, the use of IL desiccants in bubble columns regeneration has been proven to be an effective way to promote their deep dehumidification potential. The present work considers a moist air-IL desiccant bubbly deep dehumidification/regeneration system, focusing specifically on the heat and mass transfer characteristics of regeneration in bubble column. An experimental apparatus is constructed and used to explore the effects of key operating parameters (i.e., liquid height H, superficial velocity vs, solution temperature Ts) on regeneration performance. Furthermore, a semi-analytical model of bubbly regeneration heat and mass transfer is developed and used to perform parametric assessments. The results indicate that elevating the liquid height, as well as higher superficial velocities and solution temperatures all contribute to improved regeneration rates, each with distinct influencing mechanisms. A higher superficial velocity enhances the volumetric transfer coefficient through a combined effect (i.e., gas–liquid specific interfacial area, heat and mass transfer coefficients). The effect of the solution temperature on the volumetric transfer coefficient is mainly reflected in the heat and mass transfer coefficient as determined by the transfer potential difference, while the hydrodynamics play a relatively minor role in the system of interest. Bubbly regeneration differs from deep dehumidification in terms of the volumetric transfer and heat/mass transfer coefficients. Notably, the Lewis number of bubbly regeneration is generally between 0.6–1. In practical applications, it is necessary to consider the air-side pressure drop, droplet entrainment, and low-grade thermal energy utilization. Under recommended conditions (e.g., H = 0.3 m, vs = 3.0 cm/s, Ts = 60 °C), a regeneration rate of 49 g/h and moisture effectiveness of 79 % can be achieved. This study provides guidance for the design of moist air-IL desiccant bubbly deep dehumidification/regeneration systems.

An experimental investigation into the use of biomimetic methods for thermal regulation and heat retention with PCMs in buildings

To meet the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, integrating renewable energy into building energy supplies is a key solution, particularly through the application of solar energy. Due to the intermittent nature of solar energy, effective thermal regulation and heat transfer using thermal mass materials play critical roles in energy efficiency, safety, and performance in building applications. For solar electricity production in building integration, the high temperatures in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) need to be regulated to avoid the reduction of solar power conversion efficiency and to maximize the utilization of excess thermal energy. This requires effective energy charging and discharging to meet energy demands.A biomimetic method has been experimentally investigated to enhance the thermal regulation and the thermal energy retention capacity of hybrid PVT-PCM/EG systems for building thermal management. By mimicking natural systems, the PVT-PCM-EG system promotes sustainability and energy efficiency, contributing to reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. Based on the testing condition of around 480 Wm-2 and 15 °C, it is recommended that the combined two transient temperature PCM/EG A28 and A36 for the PVT-PCM/EG system can achieve the best performance for both heat retention and PV temperature regulation.

Pyroelectric field drived photocatalysis by ZnFe2O4/NaNbO3 heterojunction for dye degradation through integration of solar and thermal energy

A novel composite of ZnFe2O4/NaNbO3 (ZFO/NNO) nanorods with a p-n heterojunction structure was successfully synthesized via the hydrothermal method. The NNO nanorods were heated in situ using the photothermal effect of ZFO and subsequently cooled to room temperature, creating a cyclic heating and cooling process for ZFO/NNO. The catalytic activity of the resulting nanorods was assessed through the degradation of Rhodamine B, reaching 98% degradation efficiency after 180 min, attributed to the synergistic effect of pyrocatalysis and photocatalysis. Compared with NNO and ZFO individually, the enhanced performance of ZFO/NNO can be attributed to several synergistic factors, including the expanded spectral range of light absorption for ZFO, the establishment of the built-in electric field of the p-n junction between ZFO and NNO, and the NNO pyroelectric effect that further improved the charge transfer efficiency. Superoxide radicals and holes generated from photo-induced electrons were identified as the active species. Hydroxyl radicals generated from pyroelectrically-induced charge also participated in catalytic reaction. The combined effect of pyroelectric and photocatalytic processes could significantly improve the coupled pyro-photocatalytic reaction for pyroelectric semiconductor heterostructure, enabling the utilization of multiple energy sources, including solar and thermal energy.

A sustainable floating dome biogas plants integrated with semi-transparent photovoltaic thermal collectors: Construction, production and economic analysis

The design and construction of a self-sustained solar photo-voltaic active thermal heating floating dome biogas plant (35 m3) offers an alternative solution for round year biogas production, managing food and agricultural waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimize pollution. Moreover, this proposed model addresses the challenge of achieving the desired operating temperature (35 ± 2 °C) specially during the cold climatic conditions, which often leads to low gas production and high hydraulic retention time in anaerobic digestion. The integration of solar modules with the biogas digester enables the utilization of thermal energy for slurry heating and electricity for force mode of operation, ultimately enhancing overall energy efficiency. However, to assess the performance of the system, proximate and ultimate analyses as well as a cost-benefit analysis were carried out, considering revenue, and costs associated with construction, operation, and maintenance. The plant produces a significant amount of gas (9–12 m3) and hot water (∼2000 L) replacing approximately one LPG cylinder/2 day as well as organic fertilizer. The economic analysis shows a positive net present value (19.5 lakhs), an internal rate of return (20%), and short discounted payback period (5.7 years). This highlights the economic feasibility of the proposed model and emphasizes the importance of considering economic factors in the design and implementation of sustainable energy solutions. Furthermore, this approach demonstrates the potential for sustainable development and the transition to cleaner and more efficient energy systems by integrating renewable energy generation, waste management, and cost reductions.

Thermal energy resource utilization and sample image restoration technology based on Machine vision simulation in interior design

With the rise of sustainable building design, the traditional design methods are often unable to fully consider the optimal allocation and application of thermal energy resources. This study aims to explore the application of heat resource utilization and sample image restoration technology based on machine vision simulation technology in interior design, and provide practical solutions for optimizing indoor environment. In this paper, machine vision technology is used to monitor and model indoor space in real time, and heat energy flow and distribution under different design schemes are simulated. At the same time, the influence of different designs on thermal energy utilization efficiency is analyzed by using sample image restoration technology. In the study, a set of comprehensive evaluation indexes was established, which comprehensively considered the factors of heat efficiency, indoor comfort and energy consumption. The experimental results show that the simulation technology based on machine vision can accurately predict the indoor heat distribution and identify the best design scheme. At the same time, the sample image restoration technology significantly improves the evaluation accuracy of heat utilization efficiency. Through these methods, the optimized design scheme has higher thermal energy utilization than the traditional design, and significantly improves the indoor comfort. This study shows that the combination of machine vision simulation and sample image restoration technology can effectively improve the utilization efficiency of thermal energy resources in interior design, and provide new ideas and methods for sustainable building design.

A Nanorod With Near-Perfect Absorption for Efficient Utilization of Solar Thermal Energy

Solar thermal utilization faces a significant challenge, with efficient photothermal conversion being the primary issue. Although plasma nanofluid-based direct absorption solar collectors have shown potential in providing excellent sunlight capture capabilities, their narrow-band absorption limits their efficient photothermal conversion. This study proposes an alternative solution by introducing gold nanorods that achieve nearly perfect absorption across 300–1100 nm. The study demonstrates that the spectral absorption capacity of nanorods remains unaffected by their size and material at specific concentrations and depths. The analysis of the electromagnetic distribution at the resonance absorption peak reveals that the nanorods exhibit a “lightning rod” effect and surface plasmon resonance, leading to significant absorption. Additionally, the study investigates the effect of five common plasma nanomaterials on the nanorods’ optical absorption properties. The results show that titanium nitride-based nanorods exhibit broad-spectrum absorption and require only a small concentration and depth to achieve a 95% solar weighted absorption fraction. This research provides a valuable guide for the efficient photothermal conversion of plasma nanofluids, enhancing their potential for solar thermal systems.

Titanium dioxide/graphene oxide synergetic reinforced composite phase change materials with excellent thermal energy storage and photo-thermal performances

The development of advanced composite solid-solid phase change materials (SSPCMs) is urgent to explore for improving solar energy harvesting and storage. Herein, novel composite SSPCMs with synergetic cross-linking structure were fabricated through polymerization using GO and TiO2 constructed on the polyurethane framework skeleton. GO and TiO2 synergetic enhanced polymer framework played a role as skeletal structure to encapsulate PEG in the molecular chains, and provided as highly thermal conductive pathways for the composite SSPCMs. TiO2 nanoparticles performed as extended surface on the skeletal structure for further improvement in thermal conductivity. The composite SSPCMs exhibited a remarkably improved thermal conductivity as high as 0.7 W/(m‧K) and fast thermal response rate. The good light adsorption property of TiO2 enhanced the light absorbance efficiency of the composite SSPCMs by 94.4%. And the photo-thermal conversion efficiency of the composite SSPCMs highly reached 93.5%. Meanwhile, the composite SSPCMs exhibited excellent anti-leakage performance and shape stability under high temperature. Consequently, the as-prepared composite SSPCMs possessed a potential for applications in thermal energy storage and solar energy utilization systems.

Application of thermal energy efficiency utilization based on computer technology in green manufacturing blockchain production traceability

With the global emphasis on sustainable development, green manufacturing has become a key strategy to enhance economic efficiency and environmental friendliness. In the manufacturing process, the effective use and management of heat energy directly affect the consumption of resources and the protection of the environment. Blockchain technology, with its transparency and immutability, has gradually been introduced into the production process, helping to achieve traceability and optimization of thermal energy utilization. This study aims to explore how to combine computer technology with blockchain to establish a heat energy monitoring and management system based on computer technology, and collect real-time heat energy data through sensors. It then uses blockchain technology to create a transparent production traceability platform, store and manage thermal data, and ensure the security and reliability of the data. The research shows that the system combining computer technology and blockchain significantly improves the utilization efficiency of heat energy, greatly reduces the heat loss in the production process, and significantly improves the reuse rate of resources. The traceability function of the system effectively improves the transparency of the production process and enables enterprises to adjust their production strategies in time. Therefore, the combination of computer-based thermal efficiency utilization with blockchain production traceability offers a new solution for green manufacturing.

A Framework for Adaptive Façade Optimization Design Based on Building Envelope Performance Characteristics

The adaptive façades serve as the interface between the indoor and outdoor energy of the building. Adaptive façade optimization design can improve daylighting performance, the thermal environment, view performance, and solar energy utilization efficiency, thus reducing building energy consumption. However, traditional design frameworks often neglect the influence of building envelope performance characteristics on adaptive façade optimization design. This paper aims to reveal the potential functional relationship between building façade performance characteristics and adaptive façade design. It proposes an adaptive façade optimization design framework based on building envelope performance characteristics. The method was then applied to a typical office building in northern China. This framework utilizes a K-means clustering algorithm to analyze building envelope performance characteristics, establish a link to adaptive façade design, and use the optimization algorithm and machine learning to make multi-objective optimization predictions. Finally, Pearson’s correlation analysis and visual decision tools were employed to explore the optimization potential of adaptive façades concerning indoor daylighting performance, view performance, and solar energy utilization. The results showed that the optimized adaptive façade design enhances useful daylight illuminance (UDI) by 0.52%, quality of view (QV) by 5.36%, and beneficial solar radiation energy (BSR) by 14.93% compared to traditional blinds. In addition, each office unit can generate 309.94 KWh of photovoltaic power per year using photovoltaic shading systems. The framework provides new perspectives and methods for adaptive façade optimization design, which helps to achieve multiple performance objectives for buildings.

Carbone-neutral oriented methanol-reforming HT-PEMFC cogeneration based on absorption power refrigeration cycle

Methanol is considered as a promising hydrogen carrier in accelerating the carbon-neutral applications of fuel cell cogeneration. However, the methanol reforming process emits CO2 whose efficient recycling is challenging due to the inevitable power and cooling consumption. To this end, this paper considers the methanol reforming based high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFC) cogeneration system, equipped with ammonia absorption power-refrigeration cycle (APRC). The waste heat in the integrated system is utilized for the fuel preheating, evaporation and reforming, driving APRC, and water heating, achieving a cascaded utilization of thermal energy. By building the mathematical models for each subsystem, thermodynamic and economic assessments are investigated. The results confirm that the waste heat of HT-PEMFC is sufficient to drive both methanol reforming and APRC, with additional electricity output from APRC. At a current density of 0.53 A/cm2, the exergy efficiency of the integrated system under the design condition is 0.525 and reaches a maximum value of 0.565 at a reaction temperature of 180 °C and pressure of 1.2 bar. The techno-economic analysis reveals a dynamic payback period of 5.2 years and net present value of 1.14 M$ with a 20-year lifespan of the integrated system.