Calculation of the energy efficiency of fuel processor – PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell systems from fuel elementar composition and heating value

This simulative work analyzes the impact of fuel type on the energy efficiency of systems composed by a fuel processor for hydrogen production and a PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell. Two fuel processors are simulated, one employs steam reforming to produce hydrogen, the other one autothermal reforming. In both cases, fuel processing is completed by two water gas shift units and one preferential CO oxidation unit.