Hydrogenous Fuel as an Energy Material for Efficient Operation of Tandem System Based on Fuel Cells

Abstract

This paper presents the results of relatively cheap hydrogenous fuel usage as an energy material for energy supply stand-alone environmentally friendly systems creation. Usage of fuel cells running on hydrogenous fuel is a promising direction in creation of stand-alone power supply systems in low-rise residential development. Presented thermodynamic calculations and material balance data for electric and thermal components assessment in considered ways to use convention products, performance enhancement in tandem system based on fuel cells with full heat regeneration. The total effective efficiency of the tandem installation including the fuel converter, separating system, high-temperature fuel cell, low-temperature fuel cell is higher than for each of the fuel cell elements separately. Distribution of H2 for LTFC and HTFC is determined in compliance with the conditions of the positive heat balance to compensate the heat used for the endoenergic reaction in the converter, input stream heating and heat losses. The total effective efficiency under making full use of recovered heat for considered tandem system depends on the efficiency of its constituent fuel cells. Energetically effective distribution of H2 on streams of high-temperature and low-temperature oxidation according to a position of observance of positive thermal balance on an external contour of tandem system, is reached by operation of HTFC electric efficiency in the range of 50 ÷ 55%.