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The performance analysis and multi-objective optimization of a typical alkaline fuel cell

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  • Zhang, Houcheng
  • Lin, Guoxing
  • Chen, Jincan

Abstract

Based on the model of a typical alkaline fuel cell (AFC) with circulating potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution as electrolyte and oxygen as oxidant and the experimental data available in the current literature, thermodynamic–electrochemical analyses on the performance of the AFC are carried out, in which multi-irreversibilities such as charger-transfer, concentration and ohmic overpotentials are taken into account. Expressions for the power output and efficiency of the AFC are derived, from which the general performance characteristics of the AFC are discussed in detail. It is found that the power output and efficiency of the AFC first increase and then decrease as the electrolyte concentration is increased, and consequently, there exist the optimal electrolyte concentrations for different temperatures. It is also found that the power output is not a monotonic function of the electric current density while the efficiency is a monotonically decreasing function of the electric current density. According to the performance characteristic curves of the AFC, the optimal operation regions of some main parameters are determined. Moreover, a new multi-objective function is used to further optimize the characteristics of the AFC. Some significant results for the optimal design and operation of practical AFCs are obtained.

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  • Zhang, Houcheng & Lin, Guoxing & Chen, Jincan, 2011. "The performance analysis and multi-objective optimization of a typical alkaline fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 4327-4332.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:36:y:2011:i:7:p:4327-4332
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.04.009
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    1. Zhang, Xin & Cai, Ling & Liao, Tianjun & Zhou, Yinghui & Zhao, Yingru & Chen, Jincan, 2018. "Exploiting the waste heat from an alkaline fuel cell via electrochemical cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 983-990.
    2. Chen, Liwei & Zhang, Houcheng & Gao, Songhua & Yan, Huixian, 2014. "Performance optimum analysis of an irreversible molten carbonate fuel cell–Stirling heat engine hybrid system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 923-930.
    3. Yu, Bor-Chern & Wang, Yi-Chun & Lu, Hsin-Chun & Lin, Hsiu-Li & Shih, Chao-Ming & Kumar, S. Rajesh & Lue, Shingjiang Jessie, 2017. "Hydroxide-ion selective electrolytes based on a polybenzimidazole/graphene oxide composite membrane," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 802-812.
    4. Long-Yi Chang & Hung-Cheng Chen, 2014. "Linearization and Input-Output Decoupling for Nonlinear Control of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-16, January.
    5. Wu, Sijie & Zhang, Houcheng & Ni, Meng, 2016. "Performance assessment of a hybrid system integrating a molten carbonate fuel cell and a thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 520-527.
    6. Chen, Xiaohang & Wang, Yuan & Zhao, Yingru & Zhou, Yinghui, 2016. "A study of double functions and load matching of a phosphoric acid fuel cell/heat-driven refrigerator hybrid system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 359-365.
    7. Abdollahipour, Armin & Sayyaadi, Hoseyn, 2021. "Thermal energy recovery of molten carbonate fuel cells by thermally regenerative electrochemical cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    8. Stoševski, Ivan & Krstić, Jelena & Vokić, Nikola & Radosavljević, Miljan & Popović, Zorica Kačarević & Miljanić, Šćepan, 2015. "Improved Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) based matrix as a potential solid electrolyte for electrochemical energy conversion devices, obtained by gamma irradiation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P1), pages 595-604.
    9. Zhu, Huichao & Zhang, Houcheng, 2023. "Upgrading the low-grade waste heat from alkaline fuel cells via isopropanol-acetone-hydrogen chemical heat pumps," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    10. Zhang, Houcheng & Chen, Liwei & Zhang, Jinjie & Chen, Jincan, 2014. "Performance analysis of a direct carbon fuel cell with molten carbonate electrolyte," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 292-300.
    11. Zhu, Huichao & Xiao, Liusheng & Kuang, Min & Wang, Jiatang & Zhang, Houcheng, 2024. "Innovative use of air gap membrane distillation to harvest waste heat from alkaline fuel cell for efficient freshwater production: A comprehensive 4E study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).

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