Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 815-826 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Renewable energy |
| Volume | 116 |
| Issue number | Part A |
| Early online date | 25 Sept 2017 |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2018 |
Abstract
Centrifugal fans are suitable for the air supply of fuel cells because of their relatively high efficiency and low power consumption. Fuel cells are operated over a broad range of current densities, which is proportional to the air mass flow rate, i.e., the air supply system needs to provide high efficiencies over a wide range of mass flow. To achieve this target, a centrifugal fan equipped with a diffuser and volute with variable cross-sectional area is developed based on numerical simulations (CFD), laser-optical flow measurements (PIV) and performance measurements of the centrifugal fan. The geometrical variability is achieved by a movable backplate of the diffuser and the volute. The variable cross-sectional area of the diffuser and volute allows maintaining high efficiencies and pressure ratios for operating points at off-design. A small diffuser width is suitable for low mass flow rates, and a large diffuser width for high mass flow rates. Thus, efficiency of the centrifugal fan can be increased at part-load operation by up to 7.1% points by appropriately adjusting the diffuser width. As a result the parasitic power consumption of the air supply system is reduced and hence the overall efficiency of the fuel cell system increases.
Keywords
- Air supply, CFD, Fuel cell, Part-load efficiency, PIV, Variable diffuser width
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Renewable energy, Vol. 116, No. Part A, 02.2018, p. 815-826.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Development of a centrifugal fan with increased part-load efficiency for fuel cell applications
AU - Burgmann, Sebastian
AU - Fischer, Tore
AU - Rudersdorf, Manuel
AU - Roos, Alexander
AU - Heinzel, Angelika
AU - Seume, Jörg
N1 - Funding Information: This paper presents results of the IGF research project “Kleingebläse für Brennstoffzellen” of IUTA and the FVV (March 1st, 2014 to September 30th, 2016), which is funded under the grant number 18100N by the AiF within the program for the founding of industrial collaborate research (IGF) of the BMWi based on a resolution of the German Bundestag.
PY - 2018/2
Y1 - 2018/2
N2 - Centrifugal fans are suitable for the air supply of fuel cells because of their relatively high efficiency and low power consumption. Fuel cells are operated over a broad range of current densities, which is proportional to the air mass flow rate, i.e., the air supply system needs to provide high efficiencies over a wide range of mass flow. To achieve this target, a centrifugal fan equipped with a diffuser and volute with variable cross-sectional area is developed based on numerical simulations (CFD), laser-optical flow measurements (PIV) and performance measurements of the centrifugal fan. The geometrical variability is achieved by a movable backplate of the diffuser and the volute. The variable cross-sectional area of the diffuser and volute allows maintaining high efficiencies and pressure ratios for operating points at off-design. A small diffuser width is suitable for low mass flow rates, and a large diffuser width for high mass flow rates. Thus, efficiency of the centrifugal fan can be increased at part-load operation by up to 7.1% points by appropriately adjusting the diffuser width. As a result the parasitic power consumption of the air supply system is reduced and hence the overall efficiency of the fuel cell system increases.
AB - Centrifugal fans are suitable for the air supply of fuel cells because of their relatively high efficiency and low power consumption. Fuel cells are operated over a broad range of current densities, which is proportional to the air mass flow rate, i.e., the air supply system needs to provide high efficiencies over a wide range of mass flow. To achieve this target, a centrifugal fan equipped with a diffuser and volute with variable cross-sectional area is developed based on numerical simulations (CFD), laser-optical flow measurements (PIV) and performance measurements of the centrifugal fan. The geometrical variability is achieved by a movable backplate of the diffuser and the volute. The variable cross-sectional area of the diffuser and volute allows maintaining high efficiencies and pressure ratios for operating points at off-design. A small diffuser width is suitable for low mass flow rates, and a large diffuser width for high mass flow rates. Thus, efficiency of the centrifugal fan can be increased at part-load operation by up to 7.1% points by appropriately adjusting the diffuser width. As a result the parasitic power consumption of the air supply system is reduced and hence the overall efficiency of the fuel cell system increases.
KW - Air supply
KW - CFD
KW - Fuel cell
KW - Part-load efficiency
KW - PIV
KW - Variable diffuser width
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85031717350&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.renene.2017.09.075
DO - 10.1016/j.renene.2017.09.075
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85031717350
VL - 116
SP - 815
EP - 826
JO - Renewable energy
JF - Renewable energy
SN - 0960-1481
IS - Part A
ER -