Membrane reformer PEM cogeneration systems for residential applications - Part B: techno-economic analysis and system layout

This two-part paper investigates the performances and potential economic benefits of it membrane reformer (MREF)-based fuel cell cogeneration system, using polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, applied to residential cogeneration. Part A of the work focuses on the thermodynamic analysis and simulation of the system at full and partial load conditions, discussing its performance by means of a sensitivity analysis carried Out under different operating conditions. Part B presents the techno-economic analysis of the proposed system integrated into a real residential application, dealing with the energy savings and the economic balances, and proposes a preliminary design of the cogeneration unit. The higher electric efficiency of the innovative MREF system proposed in this work allows a yearly cost savings about 50% higher than cost savings allowed by fuel cell cogeneration units based on conventional fuel processors. Moreover, CO2 emissions savings, calculated for an average northern Italy single-family load, is about 1.6 t(CO2)/year. The paper also presents a proposed system layout, discussing the preliminary design of all the required components and analyzing with particular care the issues related to the heat recovery loop and to the arrangement of the system key component: the membrane reforming reactor. (C) 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.