COST–EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS OF COOLING FAN OPERATION IN A 100 W PEM FUEL CELL SYSTEM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v22.n7.4163Keywords:
PEM Fuel Cell, Hydrogen Flow Rate, Sýstem Efficiency, Energy Conversion, Performance Evaluation×Abstract
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are regarded as a clean energy source with high efficiency, low operating temperature, and low emissions, making them increasingly applied in various fields. However, the system’s performance is significantly affected by cooling conditions, particularly the operating mode of the cooling fan. In this study, a 100W PEMFC system connected to a 1Ω resistive load was experimentally tested under different fan supply voltages of 0V, 5V, 10V, 15V, 20V, and 24V. Operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, hydrogen flow rate, and output power were recorded to analyze the impact of fan speed on the electrical efficiency of the system. The experimental results demonstrate that optimized cooling fan operation significantly improves the cost efficiency of the 100 W PEM fuel cell system. By reducing auxiliary power consumption while maintaining stable operating temperatures, the net electrical efficiency is enhanced and operating costs are minimized. This study confirms that cooling fan management plays a crucial role in improving both technical performance and economic feasibility of PEM fuel cell systems.
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