The possibilities of the use of waste heat from low temperature PEM fuel cells

• Autorzy: Ogulewicz W. , Węcel D.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Low temperature PEM fuel cells generate electricity with an efficiency of the order of 50%. The remaining chemical energy of the fuel is converted into heat with a relatively low temperature. The working temperatures of PEM fuel cells usually do not exceed 80-90°C to prevent damage to the membrane material. This requires the cooling of the fuel cells, and the heat with a temperature of about 70°C obtained in the process may generally be used only for heating purposes. In order to improve the electricity generation efficiency of the PEM fuel cells (PEMFC), it is proposed that Peltier semiconductor thermoelectric modules should be used as thermogenerators. This solution allows a conversion of heat into electricity from a low temperature source. This process is completed in a direct energy conversion device. Water-cooled PEMFC stacks are used in the conducted studies. This solution makes it possible to use the waste heat in a specially designed heat exchanger beyond the fuel cell. For the research purposes, a device is constructed which is composed of two thermally insulated water chambers with Peltier modules in between. One of the chambers is fed with hot liquid from the PEMFC cooling cycle. The other chamber, fed with a cold liquid, makes it possible for the heat to flow through Peltier thermoelectric modules, converting heat into electricity. In such systems it is very difficult to obtain an effective heat flow in the exchanger and to ensure a relatively large temperature difference between the upper and the lower heat source. This problem may be solved by using the concept proposed in this paper, i.e. by placing Peltier modules inside individual fuel cells. As a result, a compact structure is obtained, which allows a minimization of possible energy losses and a reduction in the device weight. This, however, requires appropriate cooling (maintaining a low temperature) on what is referred to as the Peltier cell cold side. Additionally, owing to the fact that Peltier cells may operate as a "heat pump" or as a thermogenerator, extra assistance is obtained in the fuel cell for the generation of either electricity or heat, depending on the needs.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

PEM fuel cells; thermogenerator; Peltier cell

• Wydawca: Wrocław University of Technology, Department of Periodics Publications
• Czasopismo: Journal of Energy Science
• Rocznik: 2012
• Tom: Vol. 1, nr 2
• Strony: 59--69
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 11 poz., rys.

Twórcy

autor

Ogulewicz W.

• Institute of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

autor

Węcel D.

• Institute of Power Engineering and Turbomachinery, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Konarskiego 18, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

Bibliografia

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