15th European Conference on Turbomachinery Fluid dynamics & Thermodynamics
Authors
Abstract
A novel anode recirculation blower for PEM fuel cell is developed and tested experimentally with different gas mixtures. The blower is based on a centrifugal turbocompressor driven by a specific electric motor, the Media Gap Motor. This motor is defined by an extraordinary wide gap between stator and rotor through which the medium is transported. This design offers an easy hermetical separation between the electric parts and the medium (no dynamic seals required / explosion protection by design), which also works as a coolant for the e-motor from inside at high power levels / high speeds. This design becomes beneficial at higher flow rates, typical for fuel cells in the range of 100 to 200 kW maximum output power. The achievable pressure ratio of the blower, in dependency of the fluid properties, can be calculated using conventional characteristic numbers of turbomachines. This approach is used in a system simulation model to investigate the performance of the machine with a dynamic change of the fluid composition during system operation. The simulation shows that the new recirculation blower can realize an efficient recirculation in the whole operating range and that dynamic operating point changes are also possible.
ETC2023-348
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