Comprehensive performance evaluation and advanced exergy analysis of the low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell and spray flash desalination coupled system

This study introduces an innovative integrated system comprising steam methanol-reforming, low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell, and spray flash desalination. Through thorough performance and advanced exergy analyses of the system, crucial areas for enhancing components were identified. The findings demonstrate that raising the reforming temperature or increasing hydrogen utilization rates can notably enhance system efficiency. Furthermore, the LCOE increased by only 0.152＄/kWh, while CO2 emissions remained unchanged. Conventional exergy analysis reveals that exergy destruction attributed to fuel cell amount to 27.6 % (13.26 kW) of total exergy destruction. Advanced exergy analyses indicate that fuel cell contribute significantly (10.23 kW) to endogenous exergy destruction, primarily due to internal factors. Furthermore, the order of contribution to the total exergy destruction within the system is identified as follows: LT-PEMFC, Combustor, and Reformer. These findings suggest that prioritizing the LT-PEMFC in efforts to enhance system efficiency is essential, followed by the burner and subsequently the reformer. These results highlighted the potential of the integrated system and suggested approaches for improving system efficiency and boosting component performance. Furthermore, the findings provided novel insights for advanced research on integrated systems that combined low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell.