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ISSN Online: 2377-424X

ISBN Print: 978-1-56700-421-2

International Heat Transfer Conference 15
August, 10-15, 2014, Kyoto, Japan

Fuel Cell Co-Generation System with Loop Heat Pipe Based Thermal Control

Get access (open in a dialog) DOI: 10.1615/IHTC15.tmg.009120
pages 8077-8087

Resumo

Fuel cell has merit to provide high efficient and low emission power source for variety of applications including vehicles, telecommunication and emergency power supply. Co-generation system can be achieved with fuel cell that can satisfy both electric and heating requirements in the intended application. In this paper, combined fuel cell and loop heat pipe (LHP) based cogeneration system has been presented and thermally characterized in detail. The paper provides design and structure overview of the direct methanol fuel cell and possible options on how to integrate loop heat pipe with the fuel cell stack. Design and thermal performance of the loop heat pipe as passive thermal control to collect and utilize waste heat output by the kilowatt range direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has been discussed in detail. Loop heat pipe prototype with cylindrical evaporator, 25 mm diameter & 150 mm length, and heat transfer distance of 1000 mm respectively was fabricated and tested. Copper was used as the containment material, nickel as wicking material and water as the working fluid. The prototype was able to transfer 600 − 800 W heat load in different orientation and presented minimum overall thermal resistance of 0.09 °C/W at maximum input heat load. As an outcome of the present research investigation, loop heat pipes can provide reliable and passive thermal control module for high powered cogeneration fuel cells.