Applied thermodynamics - energy conversion engineering

group leader

assoc. prof. Ivan Tolj, PhD

Biography · Publications · Teaching duties

associates

assist. prof. Ivan Pivac, PhD

Biography · Publications · Teaching duties

Jakov Šimunović, PhD

Biography · Publications · Teaching duties

Research topics

  1. Hydrogen in renewable energy systems
  2. Integration of fuel cell systems in material handling vehicles (forklifts)
  3. Diagnostics and degradation of electrochemical hydrogen compressors
  4. Hydrogen production by water electrolysis: influence of operating parameters on the operation and durability of electrolyzers
  5. Optimization and design of metal hydride tanks for hydrogen storage in terms of heat transfer
  6. Characterization of metal hydride tanks during hydrogen absorption/desorption
  7. Modeling of hybrid energy systems
  8. Operation, design, and application of fuel cells
  9. Development of algorithms for fuel cell and electrolyzer control systems

Description of laboratory and equipment

The research group utilizes a laboratory for new thermal energy technologies (C516), which is equipped for testing and diagnostics of membrane fuel cells and electrolyzers. The equipment includes:

 

  • Test station for examining individual fuel cells of various sizes (Teledyne Medusa) with built-in frequency response analyzer electronics, enabling adjustment of various operating parameters: hydrogen flow (0–5 SLPM), air flow (0–20 SLPM), pressure (0–30 psig), humidity (0–100%), temperature (20–100 °C), voltage (0–20 V), current (0–125 A)
    • Test station for examining individual fuel cells and smaller stacks of various sizes (Scribner Associates) with the ability to adjust different operating parameters: hydrogen flow (0–20 SLPM), air flow (0–50 SLPM), pressure (0–30 psig), humidity (0–100%), temperature (20–100 °C), voltage (0–20 V), current (0–500 A)
    • Test station for examining individual electrolyzers of various sizes (Sustainable Innovations Test Station for PEM Electrolyzers) with adjustable operating parameters: voltage (0–8 V), current (0–125 A), water flow: 0–2.5 L/min, hydrogen flow: 0–2 SLPM, pressure (0–100 psig), temperature (20–80 °C)
    • Potentiostat/galvanostat (BioLogic SP-150) with external current amplifier up to 10 A (voltage: ±10 V, current: ±400 mA; amplifier: voltage: ±10 V, current: ±10 A) for electrochemical testing
    • S++ current and temperature scanner – test board for measuring local current at 121 test points and temperature at 49 test points (0–2 V, 0–100 °C) in a fuel cell (50 cm²)
    • Standalone hydrogen energy system (solar panels: 1600 W, wind turbine: 1400 W, electrolyzer: electric power 2.8 kW, max pressure: 30 bar, H₂ storage tank volume: 600 L, H₂ capacity: 1.5 kg; fuel cell: electric power: 1.2 kW, batteries: voltage: 24 V, capacity: 1000 Ah; DC/AC inverter: power: 3.5 kW; programmable electronic load: max power 1500 W)

 

Contacts with academic and other institutions

  • HySA Systems, University of Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
  • Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Nan’gang, PR China
  • University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
  • Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, PR China
  • Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
  • RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
  • Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
  • University of Belgrade, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, Serbia
  • University of Alaska, Anchorage, USA
  • The University of Tokyo, Japan
  • Lublin University of Technology, Department of Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Aviation Propulsion Systems, Poland
  • Indiana University Indianapolis, USA
  • Purdue University in Indianapolis, USA
  • Institute for Energy Technology, Norway
  • University of Franche-Comté, FCLAB, Belfort, France
  • SINTEF, Trondheim, Norway
  • Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), Ulm, Germany
  • University of Ljubljana, Faculty for Mechanical Engineering (FS), Slovenia
  • University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Serbia
  • AVL, Graz, Austria
project title

Hydrogen energy technologies: production and use of hydrogen (HET-PRO-USE)

Description of research in a 1-year term

The research will encompass hydrogen storage and utilization technologies, with a particular focus on storage in metal hydrides. Special attention will be given to thermal effects during the charging and discharging of hydride tanks, along with additional investigations into their coupling with phase change materials (PCM). The aim is to enhance thermal management and improve the overall efficiency of the system. The primary application of fuel cells is envisioned in electric vehicles, with a special focus on forklifts and buses. Activities will include system sizing and design, hybridization with batteries, thermal management and system control, integration of hydride storage tanks, and utilization of waste heat from fuel cells for hydrogen desorption. In parallel, the research will also target hydrogen production from renewable energy sources. Special emphasis will be placed on the integration of electrolyzers with photovoltaic systems and the study of their operation under variable input electrical conditions. As part of this, electrochemical compressors will be tested with the goal of proper system sizing and the development of advanced control algorithms. Detailed diagnostics and degradation analysis of electrochemical hydrogen compressors will also be conducted to ensure their long-term durability and reliability. Within the scope of the project, integration of fuel cell and battery systems into stationary applications is also planned, along with the development of sophisticated algorithms for energy and operational management. The preparation and publication of several CC scientific papers is foreseen, summarizing the key research outcomes. Of note is the preparation of a paper for the special issue of Journal of Alloys and Compounds, in which assoc. prof. Ivan Tolj, PhD is participating as one of the guest editors.