Enhancing methanol-to-power: A comprehensive evaluation of an integrated methanol-reforming, high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell, and organic Rankine cycle system

This study proposes an innovative hybrid system integrating sorption-enhanced chemical looping reforming of methanol, a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell, and an organic Rankine cycle to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. The novelty lies in combining these subsystems to perform a comprehensive analysis for maximizing hydrogen production, recovering high-quality waste heat, and improving economic viability by leveraging advanced thermodynamic and exergoecnomic optimization. A detailed energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic analysis was conducted using Aspen Plus simulations, revealing that irreversibilities in the afterburner, stack fuel cell, and fuel reactor contribute to 73.7 % of the total exergy destruction. Exergoeconomic analysis identified the evaporator as the costliest component due to significant exergy losses. Parametric analyses demonstrated that increasing catalyst and absorbent molar flow rate ratios enhanced net power generation but increased costs. For the fuel cell section, optimizing the oxygen flowrate ratio, current density, and temperature improved performance and reduced the costs rate, though excessive current density led to efficiency losses. Higher fuel cell temperatures and optimized intermediate pressures in the organic Rankine cycle system improved efficiency and decreased costs. This study provides valuable insights for designing and optimizing advanced energy systems combining methanol reforming, fuel cell, and organic Rankine cycle, emphasizing the importance of balancing variables for overall system efficiency and economic viability.