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Analysis of compact heat exchangers as an intercooler in pemfc systems

Takamasa Ito, Jinliang Yuan, Bengt Sundén

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingPaper in conference proceedingpeer-review

Abstract

In Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) systems, an intercooler contributes to proper thermal management of the reactant air into the cathode. However, the structure/performance of it is not clear yet. In this paper, two case studies concerning an intercooler in a 100 kW PEMFC system are carried out. Plate-fin and tube-fin heat exchangers are analyzed as the intercooler, in terms of volume, pressure drop and weight, The ε-NTU method is used. As general characteristics of the intercooler, the volume is increased with system operating pressure, while the pressure drop is decreased due to the volume expansion. The plate-fin intercooler contributes to the weight reduction of the system because aluminum is used. However, at the high operating pressure, space consumption is large. The tube-fin intercooler contributes to the volume reduction because the coolant is a liquid. However, the usage of stainless steel contributes to weight increase. The tube-fin intercooler in aluminum may contribute to space and weight reduction. However, a liquid coolant, which is proper for the PEMFC stack cooling without corrosion of aluminum, is needed. Copyright © 2005 by ASME.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference
PublisherAmerican Society Of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages797-803
Volume2
ISBN (Print)0791847314
Publication statusPublished - 2005
EventASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, 2005 - San Francisco, California, United States
Duration: 2005 Jul 172005 Jul 22

Publication series

Name
Volume2

Conference

ConferenceASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, 2005
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, California
Period2005/07/172005/07/22

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Energy Engineering

Free keywords

  • Liquid coolant
  • Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
  • Tube-fin heat exchangers

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