On-Board Reforming Effects on the Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Vehicles

Abstract

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.