Sustainable Hydrogen Generation through Solid Polymer Fuel Cell Autothermal Reforming for Improved Heat and Power Efficiency

Abstract

This research introduces an innovative integration of a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) with a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system utilizing autothermal reforming (ATR) of natural gas. This novel approach focuses on large-scale industrial applications, addressing scalability and performance optimization, areas previously underexplored. The study conducts a comprehensive parametric analysis of system efficiency, achieving a remarkable 91.3% total efficiency, with 38.1% electrical efficiency and 46.1% thermal efficiency. Economic analysis revealed strong regional differences, with Europe offering the highest Net Present Value (NPV) and a payback period of 4.0 years, while Iran showed a longer payback period of 8.3 years. The system demonstrated adaptability to fluctuating electricity prices, particularly in the U.S. Environmentally, the system achieved a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions and reduced natural gas consumption compared to conventional gas turbines. This innovative study addresses scalability challenges and offers new insights into optimizing PEMFC-CHP systems for sustainable industrial energy generation, contributing to the advancement of clean energy technologies.