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Journal of Thermal Science

热科学学报

Journal of Thermal Science >

2025 , Vol. 34 >Issue 2: 374 - 388

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-025-2017-5

Engineering thermodynamics

An Efficient Integrated System for Methanol Steam Reforming to Produce Hydrogen Coupled with PEMFC Power Generation

  • YUAN Shaoke ,
  • LI Peijing ,
  • JIAO Fan ,
  • LI Yimin ,
  • QIN Yuanlong ,
  • HAN Dongjiang ,
  • LIU Qibin
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  • 1. Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
    2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    3. School of Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
    4. Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China

Online published: 2025-03-04

Supported by

This work was supported by the National Key R &D Program of China (2021YFF0500701), and Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS (2021141), and the support is gratefully acknowledged.

Copyright

Science Press, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, CAS and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
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Abstract

With a broad range of application prospects, hydrogen fuel cell technology is regarded as a clean and efficient energy conversion technology. Nevertheless, challenges exist in terms of the safe storage and transportation of hydrogen. One proposed solution to this problem is the utilization of methanol on-line steam reforming technology for hydrogen production. In this paper, an integrated system for in-situ steam reforming of fuel coupled with proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) power generation is proposed, and sensitivity analysis and exergy sensitivity analysis are conducted. Through the gradual utilization of waste heat and the integration of the system, fuel consumption is reduced and the power generation efficiency of the system is improved. Under the design operating conditions, the power generation efficiency and exergy efficiency of the system are achieved at 44.59% and 39.70%, respectively. This study presents a proven method for the efficient integration of fuel thermochemical conversion for hydrogen production with fuel cells for power generation, highlighting the advantages of complementary utilization of methanol steam reforming and PEMFC.

Key words： methanol steam reforming to produce hydrogen; proton exchange membrane fuel cell; waste heat utilization; sensitivity analysis; heat integration

Cite this article

YUAN Shaoke , LI Peijing , JIAO Fan , LI Yimin , QIN Yuanlong , HAN Dongjiang , LIU Qibin . An Efficient Integrated System for Methanol Steam Reforming to Produce Hydrogen Coupled with PEMFC Power Generation[J]. Journal of Thermal Science, 2025 , 34(2) : 374 -388 . DOI: 10.1007/s11630-025-2017-5

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