Modeling and simulation of a residential-based PEMFC-CHP system

In this work, a residential-based PEMFC-CHP (proton exchange membrane fuel cell based combined heat and power) system is established and studied by MATLAB/Simulink. The effects of thermal resistance, hydrogen and oxygen inlet pressure, PEMFC output power, and cooling water flow on the system performance were systematically studied. The results show that with the increase of the hydrogen and oxygen inlet pressure, PEMFC stack power, and cooling water flow, the CHP system efficiency is improved. Meanwhile, the increased thermal resistance results in less heat dissipation radiating into the air and the CHP system efficiency is also improved. When the thermal resistance of PEMFC reaches 0.2K/W, the CHP system efficiency is as high as 85.86%. Finally, a case study was conducted on a residential-based CHP system and the operation characteristic curve of the system is obtained. The system is able to recover as much heat as possible while maintaining the residential electricity demand.