Performance Analysis of Steam‐Power Cogeneration System Based on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

ABSTRACT Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have shown great application potential in the field of zero‐carbon clean power generation. The low‐grade waste heat of fuel cells can be improved through high‐temperature steam heat pumps (HTSHPs) to generate steam, which can meet the dual demands of electricity and heat. This paper proposes a coupling system of PEMFC and HTSHP for steam‐power co‐supply in the industrial field. The mathematical models and process models of the PEMFC subsystem and the HTSHP subsystem are established, thereby achieving the thermodynamic coupling of the two subsystems. The influence patterns of operating parameters (such as the operating temperature and pressure of PEMFC, the condensing temperature of HTSHP, etc.) on the output parameters of the coupled system (such as the net output electrical energy of the system, the net output thermal energy of the system, the steam production, etc.) were studied. The results demonstrate that the comprehensive energy efficiency of the PEMFC‐HTSHP coupling system is 85.17%, which is significantly improved compared to the 39.12% electrical efficiency of the PEMFC stack. The findings indicate that increasing the operating temperature and pressure of PEMFC or reducing the target steam temperature and the condensing temperature of HTSHP enhances the electrical output and overall energy efficiency of the coupled system. These insights offer valuable theoretical and practical guidance for optimizing the utilization of clean energy resources.