Utilizing thermoacoustic technologies in marine hybrid power plants with fuel cells

Volodymyr Korobko, Anatoliy Shevtsov

Abstract


Recently, hybrid power plants have gained significant popularity in marine energy systems. These power plants, in addition to traditional thermal engines, include electrochemical power generation systems based on fuel cells. Hybrid marine power plants represent a relatively new technical solution for the maritime fleet, driven by strict environmental emission regulations imposed by international organizations. These regulations primarily target greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as carbon oxides, methane, nitrogen oxides, and other compounds. An analysis of the current state of marine energy and its development trends concludes that the problem lies in the working processes of thermal engines, which are based on fuel combustion. Achieving ecological cleanliness in maritime transport is possible by transitioning to new principles of mechanical energy production that do not rely on chemical fuel combustion. Fuel cells, which generate electricity through electrochemical processes, have the potential to solve this problem. However, the implementation of such electrochemical generators requires a systematic approach to the development of schematic solutions capable of achieving a synergistic effect. The subject of the research is the regularities and parameters of energy exchange processes in hybrid power plants. This study focuses on hybrid power plants with electrochemical generators based on proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM FC). The effective operation of hybrid power plants involves the utilization of waste heat from ship equipment. PEM FC is the most widely used type of fuel cell in energy and transportation sectors. The operating temperatures of PEM FCs, depending on their type, range from 60 to 80°C or 120 to 200°C, which poses a challenge for the development of efficient waste heat utilization systems. The aim of the research is to develop waste heat utilization schemes for hybrid power plants with PEM FCs using thermoacoustic heat engines. The study establishes that electrochemical generators can be integrated into the thermal system of modern power plants, and the application of thermoacoustic heat engines expands the potential of waste heat utilization systems. Low-temperature thermoacoustic engines have the capability to convert waste heat generated by PEM FC systems into mechanical work, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of hybrid power plants by 8 to 15%.

Keywords


fuel cell; PEM FC; hybrid power plant; thermoacoustic technologies; waste heat recovery

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.32620/aktt.2023.4.11