IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2023i1p120-d1307048.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Air Mass Flow and Pressure Optimization of a PEM Fuel Cell Hybrid System for a Forklift Application

Author

Listed:
  • Gojmir Radica

    (Department of Thermal Machines, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, R. Boškovića 32, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Ivan Tolj

    (Department of Thermodynamics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, R. Boškovića 32, 21000 Split, Croatia)

  • Mykhaylo V. Lototskyy

    (HySA Systems Competence Centre, South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa)

  • Sivakumar Pasupathi

    (HySA Systems Competence Centre, South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa)

Abstract

The air compressor holds paramount importance due to its significant energy consumption when compared to other Balance of Plant components of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The air supply system, in turn, plays a critical role in ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the entire fuel cell system. To enhance system efficiency, the impact of varying the stoichiometric ratio of air and air pressure was observed. This investigation was carried out under real loading conditions, replicating the conditions experienced by the power module when fuel cells are in use within a forklift. The air compressor can be operated at different pressure and excess air ratios, which in turn influence both the fuel cell’s performance and the overall efficiency of the power module system. Our research focused on assessing the performance of PEM fuel cells under different load cycles, adhering to the VDI60 requirements for forklift applications. This comprehensive examination encompassed the system’s minimum and maximum load scenarios, with the primary goal of optimizing excess air and pressure ratio parameters, especially under dynamic load conditions. The results revealed that higher air pressures and lower excess air ratios were conducive to increasing system efficiency, shedding light on potential avenues for enhancing the performance of PEM fuel cell systems in forklift applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Gojmir Radica & Ivan Tolj & Mykhaylo V. Lototskyy & Sivakumar Pasupathi, 2023. "Air Mass Flow and Pressure Optimization of a PEM Fuel Cell Hybrid System for a Forklift Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2023:i:1:p:120-:d:1307048
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/120/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/120/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wu, Horng-Wen, 2016. "A review of recent development: Transport and performance modeling of PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 81-106.
    2. Hegazy Rezk & Tabbi Wilberforce & A. G. Olabi & Rania M. Ghoniem & Enas Taha Sayed & Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem, 2023. "Optimal Parameter Identification of a PEM Fuel Cell Using Recent Optimization Algorithms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-20, July.
    3. Matraji, Imad & Laghrouche, Salah & Jemei, Samir & Wack, Maxime, 2013. "Robust control of the PEM fuel cell air-feed system via sub-optimal second order sliding mode," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 945-957.
    4. Song Yan & Mingyang Yang & Chuanyu Sun & Sichuan Xu, 2023. "Liquid Water Characteristics in the Compressed Gradient Porosity Gas Diffusion Layer of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Andújar, J.M. & Segura, F., 2009. "Fuel cells: History and updating. A walk along two centuries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(9), pages 2309-2322, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Barzegari, Mohammad M. & Dardel, Morteza & Alizadeh, Ebrahim & Ramiar, Abas, 2016. "Dynamic modeling and validation studies of dead-end cascade H2/O2 PEM fuel cell stack with integrated humidifier and separator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 298-308.
    2. Hou, Junbo & Yang, Min & Ke, Changchun & Zhang, Junliang, 2020. "Control logics and strategies for air supply in PEM fuel cell engines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    3. Tingke Fang & Coleman Vairin & Annette von Jouanne & Emmanuel Agamloh & Alex Yokochi, 2024. "Review of Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-25, April.
    4. Yang, Zirong & Du, Qing & Jia, Zhiwei & Yang, Chunguang & Xuan, Jin & Jiao, Kui, 2019. "A comprehensive proton exchange membrane fuel cell system model integrating various auxiliary subsystems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    5. Wang, Xuechao & Chen, Jinzhou & Quan, Shengwei & Wang, Ya-Xiong & He, Hongwen, 2020. "Hierarchical model predictive control via deep learning vehicle speed predictions for oxygen stoichiometry regulation of fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    6. Sun, Li & Shen, Jiong & Hua, Qingsong & Lee, Kwang Y., 2018. "Data-driven oxygen excess ratio control for proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 866-875.
    7. Wang, Chuang & Liu, Mingkun & Li, Zengqun & Xing, Ziwen & Shu, Yue, 2023. "Performance improvement of twin-screw air expander used in PEMFC systems by two-phase expansion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    8. Bizon, Nicu, 2019. "Real-time optimization strategies of Fuel Cell Hybrid Power Systems based on Load-following control: A new strategy, and a comparative study of topologies and fuel economy obtained," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 444-460.
    9. Liao, Shuxin & Qiu, Diankai & Yi, Peiyun & Peng, Linfa & Lai, Xinmin, 2022. "Modeling of a novel cathode flow field design with optimized sub-channels to improve drainage for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    10. Aihua Tang & Lin Yang & Tao Zeng & Quanqing Yu, 2022. "Cascade Control Method of Sliding Mode and PID for PEMFC Air Supply System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    11. Nicolas Muck & Christoph David, 2023. "Integrating Fiber Sensing for Spatially Resolved Temperature Measurement in Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-17, December.
    12. Erdinc, O. & Uzunoglu, M., 2010. "Recent trends in PEM fuel cell-powered hybrid systems: Investigation of application areas, design architectures and energy management approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2874-2884, December.
    13. Ahmed Mohmed Dafalla & Lin Wei & Bereket Tsegai Habte & Jian Guo & Fangming Jiang, 2022. "Membrane Electrode Assembly Degradation Modeling of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-26, December.
    14. Xu, Liangfei & Fang, Chuan & Li, Jianqiu & Ouyang, Minggao & Lehnert, Werner, 2018. "Nonlinear dynamic mechanism modeling of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with dead-ended anode considering mass transport and actuator properties," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 106-121.
    15. Teng Teng & Xin Zhang & Qicheng Xue & Baodi Zhang, 2024. "Research of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Modeling on Concentration Polarization under Variable-Temperature Operating Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-17, February.
    16. Van Du Phan & Hoai-An Trinh & Kyoung Kwan Ahn, 2023. "Finite-Time Command Filtered Control for Oxygen-Excess Ratio of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Systems with Prescribed Performance," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-17, February.
    17. Lopez Lopez, Guadalupe & Schacht Rodriguez, Ricardo & Alvarado, Victor M. & Gomez-Aguilar, J.F. & Mota, Juan E. & Sandoval, Cinda, 2017. "Hybrid PEMFC-supercapacitor system: Modeling and energy management in energetic macroscopic representation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 1478-1494.
    18. Wang, Mingli & Ruan, Jiafen & Zhang, Jian & Jiang, Yefan & Gao, Fei & Zhang, Xin & Rahman, Ehsanur & Guo, Juncheng, 2024. "Modeling, thermodynamic performance analysis, and parameter optimization of a hybrid power generation system coupling thermogalvanic cells with alkaline fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    19. Kim, Sung Han & Miesse, Craig M. & Lee, Hee Bum & Chang, Ik Whang & Hwang, Yong Sheen & Jang, Jae Hyuk & Cha, Suk Won, 2014. "Ultra compact direct hydrogen fuel cell prototype using a metal hydride hydrogen storage tank for a mobile phone," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 382-391.
    20. Antony Plait & Pierre Saenger & David Bouquain, 2024. "Fuel Cell System Modeling Dedicated to Performance Estimation in the Automotive Context," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-15, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2023:i:1:p:120-:d:1307048. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.