Simulation Model of a High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Based Cogeneration System

This paper focuses on the development of an energy simulation model of a high temperature PEM fuel cell based cogeneration system. The system is composed of a steam reforming unit that can be operated with different fuels suchas LPG and methane. The balance of plant is modeled using a commercial industrial process simulation software, Aspen Plus®. Components such as burner and chemical reactors are simulated usingexisting modules available in the software library. The fuel cell performance is predicted by means of a zero dimensional semi-empirical model implemented in Fortran and then integrated in the Aspen Plus process simulation. This choice allows to analyze the performance of the system taking into account for the CO influence on the fuel cell. The fuel cell model is validated using experimental data available in the literature and from tests carried out by the authors. The overall model is then used to perform a preliminary efficiency analysis that allows to asses the difference with low temperature PEM fuel cell based systems.