Performance evaluation of PEM fuel cell-chemical heat pump-absorption refrigerator hybrid system

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present an alternative trigeneration system consisting of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), a chemical heat pump and an absorption refrigeration system. The most important advantage of this system is that its fuel is hydrogen, and it is environment-friendly. PEMFC is the main power source, and the waste heat is utilised by means of a chemical heat pump and the absorption refrigerator. A parametric investigation was performed for power output density, energy efficiency, exergy destruction rate density and the ecological function. The results were obtained numerically and were then discussed. According to the results, the proposed system operates as an environment-friendly system in low current densities. According to the results, maximum power densities were 0.807 W cm⁻² at 90°C and 0.772 W cm⁻² at 100°C, and similarly, maximum energy efficiencies were 0.527 at 90°C an 0.525 at 100°C for the hybrid system.

KEYWORDS:

• Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
• chemical heat pump
• absorption refrigerator
• hybrid system
• trigeneration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).