Journal of Energy Resources Technology-Transactions of The ASME, Vol.124, No.3, 191-196, 2002
On-board reforming effects on the performance of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell vehicles
This paper incorporates a methanol reformer model with a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system model for automotive applications. The reformer model and fuel cell system model have been integrated into a vehicle performance simulator that determines fuel economy and other performance features. Fuel cell vehicle fuel economy using on-board methanol reforming is compared with fuel economy using direct-hydrogen fueling. The overall performance using reforming is significantly less than in a direct-hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.