Conceptual design of an integrated thermally self-sustained methanol steam reformerLotrič, Andrej (Avtor) Sekavčnik, Mihael (Avtor) Pohar, Andrej (Avtor) Likozar, Blaž (Avtor) Hočevar, Stanko (Avtor) methanol steam reformerlogistic fuel processorPEM fuel cellthermal system integrationmodeling and optimizationcomputational fluid dynamics (CFD)fuell cellsproton exchange membranesfuel processorsmethanol steam reformingheat integrated systemsenergy systems modelingWe have investigated the concept of an integrated system for small, manportable power units. The focus of this study is the direct thermal coupling of a methanol steam reformer (MSR) and a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT PEMFC) stack. A recently developed low-temperature (LT) MSR catalyst (CuZnGaOx) was synthesized and tested in a designed reforming reactor. The experimental data show that at 200 °C the complete conversion of methanol is achievable with a hydrogen yield of 45 cm3 min-1 gCAT -1 . An experimental setup for measuring the characteristics of the integrated system was designed and used to measure the characteristics of the two-cell HT PEMFC stack. The obtained kinetic parameters and the HT PEMFC stack characteristics were used in the modeling of the integrated system. The simulations confirmed that the integrated LT MSR/ HT PEMFC stack system, which also includes a vaporizer, can achieve a thermally selfsustained working point. The base-case scenario, established on experimental data, predicts a power output of 8.5 W, a methanol conversion of 98.5%, and a gross electrical efficiency (based on the HHV) of the system equal to 21.7%. However, by implementing certain measures, the power output and the electrical efficiency can readily be raised to 11.1 W and 35.5%, respectively.20172021-04-20 22:58:37Članek v reviji126397UDK: [620.9:66]:502.174.3ISSN pri članku: 0360-3199DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.05.057COBISS_ID: 15546139sl