This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Simulated Performance of an Indirect Methanol Fuel Cell System
Technical Paper
2001-01-0544
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Event:
SAE 2001 World Congress
Language:
English
Abstract
A detailed simulation of a load-following indirect methanol fuel cell (IMFC) system was performed by the University of California - Davis fuel cell vehicle modeling program (FCVMP) in order to determine the realistic steady-state and dynamic performance of such a system. The first part of the paper includes a basic description of the model and the control of the system. The interaction between the fuel processor and the anode side of the stack is shown to have dynamic load following limitations and a subsequent control strategy is described to solve this problem. The interaction between the air supply, the cathode side of the stack and the water recovery is shown to have several optimization opportunities.
In the second part of the paper, we find that the steady state efficiency of the system peaks at approximately 52% at around 5% of full power. The 25% of full power steady-state system efficiency is approximately 45% and the full power efficiency is approximately 27%. This compares with the DOE goals for an IMFC system of 48% and 38% respectively. To determine the dynamic efficiency that could be expected from a load-following IMFC system, simulations were performed over the relatively anemic FUDS and then the more aggressive US06 drive cycles. Additionally, for each drive cycle, an expected steady state efficiency is calculated. The expected steady state efficiency is the efficiency of the system over the cycle assuming it could operate along the steady state efficiency curve. The FUDS simulation gives a dynamic cycle efficiency of 43% vs. an expected steady-state efficiency of 47%. The US06 gives a dynamic cycle efficiency of 37% vs. an expected steady-state efficiency of 43%. We find the discrepancy between the expected steady state and actual dynamic efficiencies is primarily attributed to the fuel processor.
Recommended Content
Authors
- Robert Moore - Fuel Cell Vehicle Modeling Program, UC-Davis
- Anthony Eggert - Fuel Cell Vehicle Modeling Program, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC-Davis
- David Friedman - Fuel Cell Vehicle Modeling Program, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC-Davis
- Sitaram Ramaswamy - Fuel Cell Vehicle Modeling Program, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC-Davis
- Karl Hauer - Fuel Cell Vehicle Modeling Program, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC-Davis
- Joshua Cunningham - Fuel Cell Vehicle Modeling Program, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC-Davis
Citation
Eggert, A., Friedman, D., Ramaswamy, S., Hauer, K. et al., "Simulated Performance of an Indirect Methanol Fuel Cell System," SAE Technical Paper 2001-01-0544, 2001, https://doi.org/10.4271/2001-01-0544.Also In
References
- Amphlett International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 19 2 131 137 1994
- Ramaswamy, S. et al “Fuel Processor for an Indirect Methanol Fuel Cell Vehicle” 2000 SAE International Future Transportation Technology Conference proceedings Costa-Mesa Aug 21st - 23rd 2000
- Cunningham, J et al. “Requirements for a Flexible and Realistic Air Supply Model for Incorporation into a Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) System Simulation” SAE paper no. 1999-01-2912 , SAE Future Transportation Technology Conference August 17 1999
- Springer T.E. Wilson M. S. Gottesfeld S. J. Electrochemical Society 140 3513 1993
- Springer T.E. Zawodzinski T.A. Wilson M. S. Gottesfeld S. J. Electrochemical Society 143 587 1996
- Zawodzinski T. Springer T. et. al. “Performance of PEM Fuel Cells Operating on Synthetic Reformate: Experimental and Modeling Studies” Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Proton Conducting Membrane Fuel Cells II Gottesfeld S. et al. Electrochemical Society Pennington, NJ 1999
- Hauer, Karl-Heinz et. al. “Indirect Methanol Fuel Cell Vehicle Model” 2000 SAE International Future Transportation Technology Conference proceedings Costa-Mesa Aug 21st-23rd 2000
- Friedman, D.J. et al. “PEM Fuel Cell System Optimization” Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Proton Conducting Membrane Fuel Cells II Gottesfeld S. et al. Electrochemical Society Pennington, NJ 1999
- Friedman D.J. “Maximizing Direct-Hydrogen PEM Fuel Cell Vehicle Efficiency: Is Hybridization Necessary?,” Presented at the SAE International Congress and Exposition 1-4 March 1999 Published in: Fuel Cell Power for Transportation (SP-1425) SAE# 1999-01-0530 Society of Automotive Engineers Warrendale, PA 1999
- USDOE “Research and Development for Fuel Cells, Direct Injection Engines, and Fuels” Argonne, IL 1998