Performance Analysis of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Based Syngas

Abstract

External chemical reactors for steam reforming and water gas shift reactions are needed for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system using syngas fuel. For the preheating of syngas and stable steam reforming reaction at 600 °C, residual hydrogen from a fuel cell and a certain amount of additional syngas are burned. The combustion temperature is calculated and the molar ratio of the syngas into burner and steam reformer is determined. Based on thermodynamics and electrochemistry, the electric power density and energy conversion efficiency of a PEM fuel cell based syngas are expressed. The effects of the temperature, the hydrogen utilization factor at the anode, and the molar ratio of the syngas into burner and steam reformer on the performance of a PEM fuel cell are discussed. To achieve the maximum power density or efficiency, the key parameters are determined. This manuscript presents the detailed operating process of a PEM fuel cell, the allocation of the syngas for combustion and electric generation, and the feasibility of a PEM fuel cell using syngas.

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) towards conversion of carbon monoxide/syngas: A mini-review

“…Syngas conversion in conventional fuel cells such as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells [73] or solid oxide fuel cells [74] has been investigated. However, the noble metal catalysts used in the fuel cells are easily poised by CO [75] and sulfur [74], compounds present in syngas.…”

Configuration design and parametric optimum selection of a self-supporting PEMFC

“…By combining Eqs. ( 3) -( 6) and ( 10) - (16) with Tables (1) -( 3) [17,[35][36][37][38][39], the curves of…”

“…Table 2. Thermodynamic parameters of chemical components [17,35], where (g) and (l) refer to gas and liquid phases, respectively. k q (J mol -1 ): k=H 2 ; CO; CH 4 241900; 283200; 803700…”

“…Temperature instability related to the current change was analyzed experimentally [15,16]. In fact, the waste heat from current change can be utilized in time to maintain the temperature constant [17]. For even water distribution in the cell, water management was studied experimentally [18][19][20][21], a microporous layer is applied to gas diffusion layers [22,23], and a two-way hydrogen supply mode was applied [24].…”