A novel triple‐cycle system based on high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell, thermoelectric generator, and thermally regenerative electrochemical refrigerator for power and cooling cogeneration

Abstract

Summary To effectively utilize the exhaust heat of high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT‐PEMFCs) for cooling, a novel triple‐cycle system model mainly including a HT‐PEMFC, thermoelectric generator (TEG), and thermally regenerative electrochemical refrigerator (TRER) is theoretically formulated. The TEG activated by the HT‐PEMFC exhaust heat is used to drive the TRER for cooling. Considering irreversible losses in the HT‐PEMFC, TEG, and TRER and among these subsystems, mathematical formulas of the energetic and exergetic performance indexes are obtained. Calculation results show that compared with a sole HT‐PEMFC system, the equivalent power density, energetic efficiency, and exergetic efficiency for the triple‐cycle system increase by 16.0%, 12.6%, and 12.7%, respectively. The exergy destruction rate density reduces by 1.0%. Finally, sensitivity analysis of seven key parameters is conducted. This study can provide a valuable guide for the design of actual triple‐cycle systems based on HT‐PEMFCs for power and cooling cogeneration.

Performance Assessment of Closed-Brayton-Cycle and Thermoelectric Generator Combined Power Generation System Coupled with Hydrocarbon-Fueled Scramjet

“…Hence, it is a better choice to combine a thermal cycle-based generating system with a non-thermodynamic cycle power device. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) [25,26], which are one of the nonthermodynamic cycle devices qualified to build combined power systems [27][28][29], have the potential to be combined with CBC on hypersonic vehicles. In previous research endeavors, a combined system that pairs a CBC with a TEG generator cooled by liquid methane has been proposed.…”