Synthesis and optimization of a PEM fuel cell system via reactor-separation network (RSN)

摘要

The main objective of this study is to develop the synthesis and optimization of reactor-separation network (RSN) models that can be simultaneously solved within Non-Linear Programming (NLP) for a PEM fuel cell system. The objective function for optimization was defined to minimize the overall cost and CO production. Five alternatives were synthesized to determine the best flow chart for the system based on cost and the output concentration of carbon monoxide. A Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) system was taken as the case study. The results indicated that the optimum specific cost of a PEMFC stack was found to be in the region of 500-700 US dollars kW~(-1), while the specific manufacturing cost and the specific investment cost were calculated at the range of 1000-1500 US dollars and 2500-3000 kW~(-1), respectively. Furthermore, the infrastructure investment cost was determined to be in the range of 10-30 billion US dollars with the specific cost for one unit in the range of 2000-4000 US dollars kW~(-1). The results obtained are comparable with other studies.