Study on the influence of turbocompressor on proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance based on energy and exergy analysis

Efficiency improvement of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems is one of the key challenges in realizing the commercial applications. The turbocompressor (TCCC) can improve PEMFC system efficiency by recovering exhaust gas energy. In this study, a thermodynamic model of the PEMFC system was constructed to investigate the system performance of single-stage centrifugal compressor (SSCC), two-stage centrifugal compressor (TSCC) and TCCC is investigated at different conditions. Additionally, the impact of these conditions on the energy recovery capability of TCCC was explored. Findings indicate that the system utilizing the TCCC achieves superior performance compared to the other configurations. Under the condition of 2.0 A/cm 2 , the system exergy efficiency with TCCC is 3.97 % and 4.34 % higher than that of TSCC and SSCC. While elevated mass flow rates and pressures enhance energy recovery power, peak recovery efficiency occurs at lower expander mass flow rates and compressor inlet pressures, with peak values of 49.81 % at 57.19 g/s and 58.97 % at 0.07 MPa. The inlet mass flow rate is considered to be the most critical parameter affecting energy recovery performance. The results provide a direction for the optimization of gas supply system in PEMFC.