Performance Assessment of a Combined PEM Fuel Cell and Triple-Effect Absorption Cooling System for Cogeneration Applications
✍ Scribed by T. A. H. Ratlamwala; M. A. Gadalla; I. Dincer
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2011
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 421 KB
- Volume
- 11
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1615-6846
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✦ Synopsis
Abstract
In this paper, a parametric study of a combined proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and triple‐effect absorption cooling system (TEACS) is undertaken to investigate the effect of different operating conditions and system parameters on the COPs, efficiency of the fuel cell and the integrated system's overall utilisation factor. It is found that the fuel cell efficiency increases from 40% to 44.5% as the operating temperature of the fuel cell increases. However, as the fuel cell's temperature and current density increase, the COPs decrease from 2.4 to 0.9 as a result of the increase in the energy output of the fuel cell ranging from 7.4 to 10.7 kW. The efficiency of the fuel cell decreases from 41% to 32% with an increase in both fuel cell's current density and membrane thickness. The overall utilisation factor of the integrated system decreases from 84% to 35% with an increase in the current density and molar flow rate. Finally, this study reveals that the present integrated PEM fuel cell unit with a TEACS can be considered as an attractive and environmentally benign option for cogeneration purposes in sustainable buildings.