Design and thermoeconomic analysis of a PEMFC-TEC cogeneration plant

Fuel cell systems generate a large amount of heat, so they are considered as an important candidate for CHP systems. However, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) operate in a relatively lower temperature and less pressure compared to those of other fuel cells, and they are not usually considered as a choice for CHP plants. The present research studies the idea of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), combining it with PEMFC and thermodynamically investigates the e_ect of combin- ing PEMFC with Thermal Energy Conversion (TEC) sys- tem. A combination of PEMFC and TEC systems (PTEC) leads to a remarkable increase in e_ciency of PEMFC.

Keywords:

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell , Thermal Energy Conversion , Cogeneration