Analysis of a stand-alone residential PEMFC Power system with sodium borohydride as hydrogen source

Catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) has been investigated as a method to generate hydrogen for fuel cell applications. The high purity of the generated hydrogen makes this process an ideal source of hydrogen for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this paper, the possibility of using a NaBH4-based hydrogen generator with a PEMFC for stand-alone residential use is examined. A complete model of the system is developed, based on models taken from literature with appropriate modifications and improvements. Supervisory control strategies are also developed to manage the hydrogen generation and storage and the power flow. The operation and performance of the integrated system over a one-week period under real loading conditions is analyzed through simulation. Finally, results of the analysis are summarized and the limitations/further scope are indicated