Performance evaluation of R1336mzz(Z)/TEGDME absorption chiller coupled with low temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell system

The typical operating temperature of a low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (LT-PEMFC) is approximately 80 °C, with a thermoelectric ratio of approximately 1. To utilize the waste heat of LT-PEMFCs, an absorption chiller (AC) using R1336mzz(Z)/TEGDME as the working pair coupled with LT-PEMFCs vehicles was proposed in this work. The saturated vapor pressure and viscosity of this novel working pair were measured and regressed. The excess enthalpy and specific enthalpy were determined by NRTL model. Based on the thermophysical properties, the performance of the coupled system was investigated under various operating conditions. Results showed that this AC system was able to utilize the waste heat generated by LT-PEMFCs for cooling in the range of 269.1 K to 293.2 K, which can meet the cooling demands of most commercial vehicles. The efficiency of the coupled system was approximately 0.67, which represents a 55.8 % improvement over the standalone LT-PEMFCs system. In typical summer conditions, the coupled system extended the endurance mileage of LT-PEMFCs vehicles by 14 % and saved 12 % of hydrogen in a daily route. Thus, the AC using R1336mzz(Z)/TEGDME coupled LT-PEMFCs vehicles has a great significance for enhancing the performance and enlarging the mileage.