Performance analysis of 5 kW PEMFC-based residential micro-CCHP with absorption chiller

A novel residential micro-combined cooling heating and power system (CCHP) incorporating a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack, a single effect absorption chiller and accessories is proposed. The proposed CCHP system can provide electric power, hot water and space heating/cooling for family demand simultaneously. A steady-state mathematic model of overall system is developed, and validated by reference data. For parametric analysis, the effects of operating parameters (i.e.: inlet gas temperature and pressure, fuel cell operating temperature and current density) on system performance are analyzed, especially, the relationship of stack and absorption chiller performance is discussed. Furthermore, the performances of CCHP system in summer and winter are compared. The maximum efficiency of CCHP system can reaches 70.1% in summer, while 82% in winter. •A novel PEMFC based CCHP system simulation model is proposed.•Operating temperature plays a key role on chiller and CCHP performance.•Current density affects the system performance.•The system efficiency at 2 atm inlet gas pressure is the highest.