Thermodynamic analysis of vehicle fuel cell system under dynamic conditions

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2021.0020

Abstract

Abstract:

roton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are energy conversion devices that directly convert chemical energy in hydrogen into electric energy via an electrochemical reaction. They are environmentally friendly and exhibit fast startup , high efficiency, and high reliability; thus they are being gradually applied for developing new energy-efficient vehicles. In this study, we present a thermodynamic model of a vehicle fuel cell power system. This system comprises a PEMFC stack, an air compressor, a hydrogen circulating pump, a cooling pump, and a humidifier model. Under dynamic conditions, the effects of the energy consumption of the auxiliary equipment on the efficiency of the fuel cell power system are reported. Moreover, we included an analysis of the mapping relationship between the operating parameters such as working temperature; the inlet humidity of the cathode; and the electric power, electric efficiency, and thermal efficiency of the system. Energy consumption of auxiliary equipment and the net output power, electric efficiency, and thermal efficiency of the system at step currents ranging from 180 to 300 A were obtained. The results demonstrate that, in a 30 kW vehicle PEMFC system, the net output power of the system reaches 22.5 kW, and energy losses of the humidifier, cooling pump, air compressor, and hydrogen circulation pump reach 1.78, 2.18, 3.1, and 2.15 kW, respectively. The maximum electric efficiency and thermal efficiency of the system are 41% and 52.1%, respectively.

Key words: PEMFC, dynamic operating conditions, load energy consumption, thermodynamic performance

CLC Number:

TK 123

Xi CHEN, Lingxuan HE, Qinxiao LIU, Ye FANG, Shichun LONG, Zhongmin WAN. Thermodynamic analysis of vehicle fuel cell system under dynamic conditions[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2021, 10(4): 1416-1422.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig. 1

Table 1

Parameters of system"

符号	定义	数值
T	电堆温度/K	348
RH	阴极和阳极进气相对湿度	100%
p(O₂)	阴极氧气分压/atm	2
p(H₂)	阳极氢气分压/atm	2
A	单电池有效活化面积/cm²	200
N	单电池数目	180
J_max	最大电流密度/A·cm^-2	2.0
$l$	质子交换膜厚度/μm	51
λ	质子交换膜水含量参数	14
F	法拉第常数/C·mol^-1	96485

Table 1

Fig. 2

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