A fuel cell range extender integrating with heat pump for cabin heat and power generation

Zhang, N., Lu, Y. , Kadam, S. and Yu, Z. (2023) A fuel cell range extender integrating with heat pump for cabin heat and power generation. Applied Energy, 348, 121600. (doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121600)

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Abstract

Batteries, Heat Pumps (HPs), and fuel cells (FCs) are critical for transport decarbonization and a net zero future. However, cabin heating in extreme conditions leads to severe driving range reduction in current Electric Vehicles (EVs). The performance of the heat pump (HP) in EVs and its performance enhancement technologies are widely investigated but cannot, simultaneously, provide sufficient heat and high COP. The source and amount of the waste heat within a vehicle for the heat pump integrated system is a crucial challenge to improve performance. The structure becomes increasingly complicated, but the benefits are not significant. Therefore, in this study, a small Fuel Cell, battery and heat pump integrated energy management system for range extended EVs (FCBEEV) is designed. The cogeneration characteristic of the fuel cell and waste heat from battery pack are utilised by the heat pump to ensure a high-level of cabin comfort in extremely cold temperatures and an extension of the driving range. A numerical model was established in MATLAB and the results were analysed from energy, exergy, environment, and economic (4E) perspectives. In this study, we show that the highest COPsys of the proposed system is 5.8 and can improve the driving range (DR) by 65% to 110% compared to the reference systems. The exergy efficiency of the suggested system is 75% at −10 °C and the fuel cell and internal condenser are the primary causes of the exergy destruction. The environmental impact decreases by 13 kg/year per car compared to current EVs with a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) and Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) system, and the reduction is primarily sourced from the indirect emissions. The operating cost which includes driving and heating is 28.9% higher than cited for an ASHP and PTC system and 41% higher than the PTC baseline system. The payback duration is 300,000 km at current market prices, and it is predicted to be shorter to 100,000 km, if the cost of the fuel cell stack is estimated at £4000 and the H2 price is the same as electricity. We anticipate that the proposed system can significantly improve cabin comfort and driving range anxieties, as well as promote the decarbonization of transport.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The authors would like to acknowledge the support of EPSRC through their funding of the Decarbonisation of Heating and Cooling (EP/T022701/1) project and the ETP/Transport Scotland Industry Engagement Fund. This work was also funded by the University of Glasgow Studentship and China Scholarship Council (CSC) (202008230188).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Zhang, Mr Nan and Kadam, Dr Sambhaji and Yu, Professor Zhibin and Lu, Dr Yiji
Authors: Zhang, N., Lu, Y., Kadam, S., and Yu, Z.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Applied Energy
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0306-2619
ISSN (Online):1872-9118
Published Online:24 July 2023
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2023 Crown Copyright
First Published:First published in Applied Energy 348: 121600
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
308940Generation of REfrigerated ENergy Integrated with Cold Energy storageZhibin YuEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)875461ENG - Systems Power & Energy