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Arif Hepbasli - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • assessment of cost sources and improvement potentials of a ground source heat pump food drying system through advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis method
    Energy, 2017
    Co-Authors: Zafer Erbay, Arif Hepbasli
    Abstract:

    Advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis, the so-called new exergetic approach combined with the economic Analysis, is applied to a ground-source heap pump (GSHP) drying system in this study. The thermodynamic inefficiencies and cost performance of the system components are evaluated in parts. Moreover, the results of the advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis are compared to those of the conventional Exergoeconomic Analysis. The results show that total costs in the overall system are 4.008 $/h whereas 2.569 $/h of the total costs are avoidable. The avoidable investment costs are significantly lower than avoidable destruction costs. Advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis indicates that the most important system components are the drying duct and the condenser with respect to reducing the costs. It is possible to reduce 34.6% of the total costs by developing improvement strategies focused on the drying duct and the condenser. It may be concluded that the conventional Exergoeconomic Analysis is an effective approach to specify the components, in which costs are accumulated while the advanced Exergoeconomic approach is essential to determine the cost sources and to develop cost effective improving strategies.

  • Advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis of a gas engine heat pump (GEHP) for food drying processes
    Energy Conversion and Management, 2015
    Co-Authors: Aysegul Gungor, Huseyin Gunerhan, George Tsatsaronis, Arif Hepbasli
    Abstract:

    Exergetic and Exergoeconomic analyses are often used to evaluate the performance of energy systems from the thermodynamic and economic points of view. While a conventional exergetic Analysis can be used to recognize the sources of inefficiencies, the so-called advanced exergy-based Analysis is convenient for identifying the real potential for thermodynamic improvements and the system component interactions by splitting the exergy destruction and the total operating cost within each component into endogenous/exogenous and unavoidable/avoidable parts. In this study for the first time an advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis is applied to a gas-engine-driven heat pump (GEHP) drying system used in food drying for evaluating its performance along with each component. The advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis shows that the unavoidable part of the exergy destruction cost rate within the components of the system is lower than the avoidable part. The most important components based on the total avoidable costs are drying ducts, the condenser and the expansion valve. The inefficiencies within the condenser could particularly be improved by structural improvements of the whole system and the remaining system components. Finally, it can be concluded that the internal design changes play a more essential role in determining the cost of each component.

  • A Parametric Study of a Piston-Prop Aircraft Engine Using Exergy and Exergoeconomic Analysis Methods
    International Journal of Green Energy, 2014
    Co-Authors: Onder Altuntas, T. Hikmet Karakoc, Arif Hepbasli
    Abstract:

    In this study, exergetic and Exergoeconomic Analysis methods are applied to a four-cylinder, spark ignition (SI), naturally aspirated and air-cooled piston-prop aircraft engine in the cruise phase of flight operations. The duration of cruise is selected to be 1 h. Three parameters, altitude, rated power setting (PS), and air-to-fuel ratio (AF), are varied by the calculation of the max–min values of exergy Analysis. Based on the results of energy Analysis, the values for the maximum energy efficiency and fuel consumption flow rate are calculated to be 21.73% and 28.02 kg/h, respectively, at 1000-m altitude and 75% PS. The results of exergy Analysis indicate that all exergetic values vary from 65% to 75% PS, while this increase is not seen in Exergoeconomic Analysis. While the maximum exergy input rate is obtained to be 405.60 kW, exergy efficiency has the minimum value with 14.43% and exergy destruction rate has the maximum value with 168.48 kW. These values are achieved at 3000-m altitude and 18 AFs. The ...

  • Exergoeconomic Analysis of energy utilization of drying process in a ceramic production
    Applied Thermal Engineering, 2014
    Co-Authors: Zafer Utlu, Arif Hepbasli
    Abstract:

    Abstract Thermo economic cost Analysis of a ceramic plant, with a yearly production capacity of 24 million m 2 , was performed based on the actual operational data. The ceramic drying system was analyzed at the spray dryer, the vertical dryer and the furnace stages. The performances of these three processes and the effects of the process conditions on the process performance were evaluated using energetic, exergetic, and Exergoeconomic Analysis methods. The performance assessment was performed through energy and exergy efficiencies, the improvement potential rate, the total cost, and the Exergoeconomic factor terms. The ratio of the thermodynamic loss rate to the capital cost values was obtained in the range of 53.38–135.83 MW/$. In this process, there is a great potential towards increasing the energy and exergy utilization efficiencies.

  • Advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis of an electricity-generating facility that operates with natural gas
    Energy Conversion and Management, 2014
    Co-Authors: Emin Açıkkalp, Haydar Aras, Arif Hepbasli
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper presents an advanced exergy Analysis of an electricity generation facility in the Eskisehir Industry Estate Zone in Turkey. The total electricity generation rate is approximately 55 MW. The exergy efficiency of the system is 0.402 and the total exergy destruction rate of the system is 78.242 MW. The unit exergy cost of electrical power that is generated by the system is 25.660 $/GJ, and the total Exergoeconomic factor of the system is 0.247. Advanced exergetic and Exergoeconomic analyses were applied to the considered system. The advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis shows that the combustion chamber, the high-pressure steam turbine and the condenser have great economic improvement potential because of their high exergy destruction cost rates. Similarly, the heat recovery steam generator and the condenser have significant potential because of their investment costs. In addition, suggestions to improve the system economical parameters are provided. Finally, it can be concluded that relations between the components are strong.

Ibrahim Dincer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Exergoeconomic Analysis of a new integrated copper-chlorine cycle for hydrogen production
    International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2020
    Co-Authors: Faran Razi, Ibrahim Dincer, Kamiel Gabriel
    Abstract:

    Abstract In this study, an Exergoeconomic Analysis is performed on an integrated four-step thermochemical copper-chlorine cycle developed at the Ontario Tech. University through exergy, cost, energy, and mass (EXCEM) method. A thermodynamic model is first constructed in Aspen-plus (a process simulation software) to simulate and investigate the integrated cycle through exergy and energy analyses. The capital costs, thermodynamic loss rates, and the ratio of the thermodynamic loss rate to the capital cost of various system's components are also determined. Moreover, the average unit cost of hydrogen is evaluated and the influence of several system's parameters on the unit cost of hydrogen is analyzed. The results show that the cost of hydrogen is strongly dependent on the production capacity of the plant. Based on the Analysis, our system generates hydrogen at an average unit cost of 5.54 $/kg with a plant capacity of 1619.3 kg/h considering both internal (operating and maintenance costs, etc.) and external (costs of various inputs, etc.) parameters.

  • Exergoeconomic Analysis of a Cascade Active Magnetic Regenerative Refrigeration System
    Progress in Exergy Energy and the Environment, 2014
    Co-Authors: Hadi Ganjehsarabi, Ibrahim Dincer, Ali Güngör
    Abstract:

    In this paper, an Exergoeconomic Analysis of a cascade active magnetic regenerative (AMR) refrigeration system operating on a regenerative Brayton cycle is conducted with respect to various system design parameters. The finite difference method is used in order to solve the set of governing equations, which are highly nonlinear and coupled. In exergy Analysis, a thermodynamic model is developed in order to determine exergy destruction rates and calculate the exergy efficiency of the system. In the economic Analysis, investment cost rates are calculated with respect to equipment costs, which are determined by cost correlations for each system component, and capital recovery factors. Thus, by combining the two analyses, an Exergoeconomic model is created whereby the exergy streams are identified and cost equations are allocated for each component. The results of both exergetic and Exergoeconomic analyses show that increasing the fluid mass flow rate decreases the exergy efficiency, and increasing the specific exergetic cooling rate decreases the cost per unit of cooling.

  • An Exergoeconomic Analysis of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Thermal Management Systems
    Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications, 2013
    Co-Authors: H.s. Hamut, Ibrahim Dincer, Greg F. Naterer
    Abstract:

    In this paper, exergy Analysis of a hybrid electric vehicle thermal management system (TMS) is initially investigated in order to find the areas of inefficiencies and exergy destruction within each system component. In the Analysis, advanced exergy modeling is utilized to study both endogenous/exogenous and avoidable/unavoidable exergy destructions for each component of the system and further understand the interactions among the TMS components and determine the underlying reasons behind the exergy destructions. Moreover, this approach is also used to enhance Exergoeconomic analyses by calculating the endogenous/exogenous and avoidable/unavoidable portion of the investment and exergy destruction costs (so-called advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis) in order to improve the cost effectiveness of the system and provide information on how much of the cost can be avoided for each component. Based on the Analysis, it is determined that exogenous exergy destruction is small but significant portion of the total exergy destruction in each component (up to 40%, in the chiller and thermal expansion valves) and that large portion of the exergy destruction within the components (up to 70%, in the compressor) could be potentially avoided. Moreover, it is determined that electric battery, compressor, and chiller are dominated by investment cost, whereas the condenser and evaporator are dominated by the cost of exergy destruction in the system.

  • Exergoeconomic Analysis of a Combined Ammonia Based Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System
    Fuel Cells, 2012
    Co-Authors: E. Baniasadi, Ibrahim Dincer, Greg F. Naterer
    Abstract:

    An Exergoeconomic study of an ammonia-fed solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based combined system for transportation applications is presented in this paper. The relations between capital costs and thermodynamic losses for the system components are investigated. The Exergoeconomic Analysis includes the SOFC stack and system components, including the compressor, microturbine, pressure regulator, and heat exchangers. A parametric study is also conducted to investigate the system performance and costs of the components, depending on the operating temperature, exhaust temperature, and fuel utilization ratio. A parametric study is performed to show how the ratio of the thermodynamic loss rate to capital cost changes with operating parameters. For the devices and the overall system, some practical correlations are introduced to relate the capital cost and total exergy loss. The ratio of exergy consumption to capital cost is found to be strongly dependent on the current density and stack temperature, but less affected by the fuel utilization ratio.

  • Exergoeconomic Analysis of glycol cold thermal energy storage systems
    International Journal of Energy Research, 2008
    Co-Authors: K. Bakan, Ibrahim Dincer, Marc A. Rosen
    Abstract:

    An Exergoeconomic Analysis of glycol cold thermal energy storage (CTES) is reported. Glycol CTES is an application of sensible heat storage where the temperature of a storage material changes in order to store cold energy, usually generated from electricity when its cost is low. Exergoeconomic Analysis combines thermodynamic Analysis based on the first and second laws with principles of economics, mostly cost accounting. Exergy Analysis accounts for energy quality and irreversibilities, and provides more meaningful and useful information than energy Analysis about efficiency and losses. A storage tank with a capacity of 350 000 kg is considered for this investigation and a water solution based on ethylene glycol is used as the storage medium. Several thermodynamic system factors are analysed, such as change in storage temperature, coefficient of performance (COP) of the chiller, heat losses from the storage tank, and the mass flow rates. Simulation results indicate that the system exergy efficiency is much less (∼45%) than the energy efficiency. The average exergy efficiency of the storage tank is determined to be 35% and the average energy efficiency 80%. The system exergy efficiency is determined to be 30% and 40% at 45 and 25°C ambient temperatures, respectively. The chiller COP is observed to be strongly related to storage temperature, and to vary approximately between 2.4 and 5.8 at a 35°C ambient temperature. As ambient temperature decreases, COP increases. The Exergoeconomic Analysis indicates that the ratio of exergy-based thermodynamic loss to capital cost of the glycol CTES ranges from 0.00233 to 0.00225 kW $−1 at a 35°C reference environment temperature, and from 0.00235 to 0.00227 kW $−1 at a 25°C reference environment temperature. The reference environment temperature affects significantly exergy destruction and efficiency, e.g. a 10°C change in ambient temperature causes a 37.5% change in exergy efficiency. This result implies that cold energy is more valuable at higher ambient temperatures. Heat loss from the storage tank exhibits a mild dependence on ambient temperature, e.g. a 10°C increase in ambient temperature causes a heat loss increase of 7.1%. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

George Tsatsaronis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis of a gas engine heat pump (GEHP) for food drying processes
    Energy Conversion and Management, 2015
    Co-Authors: Aysegul Gungor, Huseyin Gunerhan, George Tsatsaronis, Arif Hepbasli
    Abstract:

    Exergetic and Exergoeconomic analyses are often used to evaluate the performance of energy systems from the thermodynamic and economic points of view. While a conventional exergetic Analysis can be used to recognize the sources of inefficiencies, the so-called advanced exergy-based Analysis is convenient for identifying the real potential for thermodynamic improvements and the system component interactions by splitting the exergy destruction and the total operating cost within each component into endogenous/exogenous and unavoidable/avoidable parts. In this study for the first time an advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis is applied to a gas-engine-driven heat pump (GEHP) drying system used in food drying for evaluating its performance along with each component. The advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis shows that the unavoidable part of the exergy destruction cost rate within the components of the system is lower than the avoidable part. The most important components based on the total avoidable costs are drying ducts, the condenser and the expansion valve. The inefficiencies within the condenser could particularly be improved by structural improvements of the whole system and the remaining system components. Finally, it can be concluded that the internal design changes play a more essential role in determining the cost of each component.

  • Advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis of a Power Plant with CO2 Capture
    Energy Procedia, 2015
    Co-Authors: Fontina Petrakopoulou, George Tsatsaronis, T. Morosuk
    Abstract:

    Conventional exergy-based analyses reveal options for improving energy conversion systems, but they suffer from some limitations that are addressed by advanced exergy-based analyses. Advanced exergy-based methods are capable of (1) identifying interdependencies among plant components (endogenous/exogenous values), and (2) revealing the potential for improvement (avoidable/unavoidable values). Thus, data obtained from these methods pinpoint strengths and weaknesses of energy conversion systems and are of great importance when complex plants with a large number of interconnected components are considered. This paper presents one of the first applications of an advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis to a complex power plant. The plant includes a mixed conducting membrane for oxy-fuel combustion and CO2 capture. The results show that for the most influential components of the plant, the largest part of investment cost and of the costs of exergy destruction is unavoidable. Additionally, in most cases the interactions among the components are of lower importance and, for the majority of the components, the endogenous parts of the costs (related to the internal operation of each component) are significantly larger than the corresponding exogenous parts (related to component interactions). Nevertheless, relatively strong interactions have been found among the components that constitute the mixed conducting membrane reactor of the plant.

  • Exergoeconomic Analysis of vehicular PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell systems with and without expander
    Energy, 2014
    Co-Authors: Saeed Sayadi, George Tsatsaronis, Christian Duelk
    Abstract:

    Abstract In this paper we perform an Exergoeconomic Analysis to a PEM (proton exchange membrane) vehicular fuel cell system used in the latest generation of environmentally friendly cars. Two alternative configurations of a fuel cell system are considered (with and without an expander), and two alternative design concepts for each configuration: BoL (Begin of Life) and EoL (End of Life). The system including an expander generates additional power from the exhaust gases leaving the fuel cell stack, which might increase the system efficiency. However the total investment costs for this case are higher than for the other system configuration without an expander, due to the investment costs associated with the expander and its accessories. The fuel cell stack area in the EoL-sized systems is larger than in the BoL-sized systems. A larger stack area on one hand raises the investment costs, but on the other hand decreases the fuel consumption due to a higher cell efficiency. In this paper, Exergoeconomic analyses have been implemented to consider a trade-off between positive and negative effects of using an expander in the system and to select the proper design concept. The results from the Exergoeconomic Analysis show that (a) an EoL-sized system with an expander is the most cost effective system, (b) the compression and humidification of air are very expensive processes, (c) the stack is by far the most important component from the economic viewpoint, and (d) the thermodynamic efficiency of almost all components must be improved to increase the cost effectiveness of the overall system.

  • Advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis Applied to a Complex Energy Conversion System
    Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 2011
    Co-Authors: Fontina Petrakopoulou, George Tsatsaronis, T. Morosuk, Anna Carassai
    Abstract:

    Exergy-based analyses are important tools for studying and evaluating energy conversion systems. Conventional exergy-based analyses provide us with important information on the design and operation of a system. However, further insight into the improvement potential of plant components and the overall plant, as well as into component interactions, is important when optimal operation is required. This necessity led to the development of advanced exergy-based analyses, in which the exergy destruction as well as the associated costs and environmental impacts are split into avoidable/unavoidable and endogenous/exogenous parts. Based on the avoidable exergy destruction, costs and environmental impacts potential and strategies for improvement are revealed. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the application, the advantages, and the information obtained from an advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis by applying it to a complex plant, i.e., to a combined cycle power plant. The largest parts of the unavoidable cost rates are calculated for the components constituting the gas turbine system and the low-pressure steam turbine. The combustion chamber has the second highest avoidable investment cost and the highest avoidable cost of exergy destruction. In general, the investment cost of most of the components is unavoidable, with the exception of some heat exchangers. Similarly, most of the cost of exergy destruction is unavoidable, with the exception of the expander of the gas turbine system and the high-pressure and intermediate-pressure steam turbines. The advanced Exergoeconomic Analysis reveals high endogenous values, which suggest that improvement of the total plant can be achieved by improving the design of individual components, and lower exogenous values, which means that component interactions are in general of lower significance for this plant.

  • consideration upon exergy destruction and Exergoeconomic Analysis of a refrigerating system
    2011
    Co-Authors: Alexandru Dobrovicescu, George Tsatsaronis, Dorin Stanciu, Valentin Apostol
    Abstract:

    The effect of exergy destruction due to friction in a heat exchanger depends on the function and position of the apparatus in the system. Three distinct operating regimes are analyzed: heater, cooler below the environmental temperature and cooler above the environmental temperature. For each one of these cases, the different effect of the exergy destruction due to friction upon the operation of the overall system is investigated. An Exergoeconomic Analysis for a refrigeration system is carried out. The Exergoeconomic study is based on the fact that any zone consumes exergetic resources and services for its operation. A cleaning service of the anergy generation and an anergy transfer is required during the productive process by any productive zone. By applying this philosophy to a refrigeration system, the loss of the condenser is apportioned to each component of the system depending on its exergy destruction.

Recep Yumrutaş - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic Analysis of a cement plant: Part II – Application
    Energy Conversion and Management, 2014
    Co-Authors: Adem Atmaca, Recep Yumrutaş
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper is Part 2 of the study on the thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic Analysis of a cement plant. In Part 1, thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic formulations and procedure for such a comprehensive Analysis are provided while this paper provides an application of the developed formulation that considers an actual cement plant located in Gaziantep, Turkey. The overall energy and exergy efficiencies of the plant is found to be 59.37% and 38.99% respectively. The exergy destructions, exergetic cost allocations, and various Exergoeconomic performance parameters are determined by using the Exergoeconomic Analysis based on specific exergy costing method (SPECO) for the entire plant and its components. The specific unit exergetic cost of the farine, clinker and cement produced by the cement plant are calculated to be 43.77 USD/GJ, 133.72 USD/GJ and 180.5 USD/GJ respectively. The specific manufacturing costs of farine, clinker and cement are found to be 3.8 USD/ton, 33.11 USD/ton and 41.84 USD/ton respectively.

  • Thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic Analysis of a cement plant: Part I – Methodology
    Energy Conversion and Management, 2014
    Co-Authors: Adem Atmaca, Recep Yumrutaş
    Abstract:

    Abstract The energy, exergy and Exergoeconomic Analysis of a cement factory has been studied within two parts. This paper is the first part of the study which includes the thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic methodology and formulations developed for such a comprehensive and detailed Analysis. The second part of this study is about the application of the developed formulation which considers an actual cement plant located in Gaziantep, Turkey. The energy consumption by the cement industry is about 5% of the total global industrial energy consumption. It is also one of the world’s largest industrial sources of CO2 emissions. In this paper, a cement plant is considered with all main manufacturing units. Mass, energy, and exergy balances are applied to each system. The first and second law efficiencies based on the energy and exergy Analysis and performance assessment parameters are defined for the entire cement plant. The formulations for the cost of products, and cost formation and allocation within the system are developed based on Exergoeconomic Analysis. In order to obtain the optimal marketing price of cement and to decrease specific energy consumption of the whole plant, the cost Analysis formulated here have substantial importance.

  • thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic Analysis of a cement plant part ii application
    Energy Conversion and Management, 2014
    Co-Authors: Adem Atmaca, Recep Yumrutaş
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper is Part 2 of the study on the thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic Analysis of a cement plant. In Part 1, thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic formulations and procedure for such a comprehensive Analysis are provided while this paper provides an application of the developed formulation that considers an actual cement plant located in Gaziantep, Turkey. The overall energy and exergy efficiencies of the plant is found to be 59.37% and 38.99% respectively. The exergy destructions, exergetic cost allocations, and various Exergoeconomic performance parameters are determined by using the Exergoeconomic Analysis based on specific exergy costing method (SPECO) for the entire plant and its components. The specific unit exergetic cost of the farine, clinker and cement produced by the cement plant are calculated to be 43.77 USD/GJ, 133.72 USD/GJ and 180.5 USD/GJ respectively. The specific manufacturing costs of farine, clinker and cement are found to be 3.8 USD/ton, 33.11 USD/ton and 41.84 USD/ton respectively.

  • thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic Analysis of a cement plant part i methodology
    Energy Conversion and Management, 2014
    Co-Authors: Adem Atmaca, Recep Yumrutaş
    Abstract:

    Abstract The energy, exergy and Exergoeconomic Analysis of a cement factory has been studied within two parts. This paper is the first part of the study which includes the thermodynamic and Exergoeconomic methodology and formulations developed for such a comprehensive and detailed Analysis. The second part of this study is about the application of the developed formulation which considers an actual cement plant located in Gaziantep, Turkey. The energy consumption by the cement industry is about 5% of the total global industrial energy consumption. It is also one of the world’s largest industrial sources of CO2 emissions. In this paper, a cement plant is considered with all main manufacturing units. Mass, energy, and exergy balances are applied to each system. The first and second law efficiencies based on the energy and exergy Analysis and performance assessment parameters are defined for the entire cement plant. The formulations for the cost of products, and cost formation and allocation within the system are developed based on Exergoeconomic Analysis. In order to obtain the optimal marketing price of cement and to decrease specific energy consumption of the whole plant, the cost Analysis formulated here have substantial importance.

Ayoub Kazim - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Exergoeconomic Analysis of a PEM electrolyser at various operating temperatures and pressures
    International Journal of Energy Research, 2005
    Co-Authors: Ayoub Kazim
    Abstract:

    In this paper, an Exergoeconomic Analysis of a 12 900 kW PEM electrolyser developed by WE-NET at various operating temperatures and pressures is conducted. The Analysis is performed at electrolyser's operating temperatures (T/T0) and pressures (P/P0) ranging from 1 to 1.4 and 1 to 10, respectively. A 40% improvement in the exergy cost of hydrogen could be achieved by operating the PEM electrolyser at a low temperature. However, a 2% decrease in the exergy cost could be achieved if the operating pressure is increased from 1 to 10 atm. Furthermore, a lower annual capital cost, O&M cost, electricity cost and higher year life could contribute greatly in reducing the exergy cost of hydrogen. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  • Exergoeconomic Analysis of a PEM fuel cell at various operating conditions
    Energy Conversion and Management, 2004
    Co-Authors: Ayoub Kazim
    Abstract:

    Abstract In this paper, a comprehensive Exergoeconomic Analysis of a 10 kW PEM fuel cell at various operating temperatures, pressures, cell voltages and air stoichiometries is performed. The Analysis is performed at fuel cell operating temperatures ( T / T o ) and pressures ( P / P o ) ranging from 1 to 1.25 and 1 to 3, respectively. In addition, the calculations are performed on typical fuel cell operating voltages of 0.5 V and 0.6 V and at air stoichiometries of 2, 3 and 4 in order to determine their effects on the exergy cost of the fuel cell. The calculated results demonstrated the significance of the operating pressure, cell voltage and air stoichiometry on the exergy cost of the fuel cell. Furthermore, lower capital cost of the fuel cell, annual O & M cost and hydrogen cost could contribute to a drastic reduction in the exergy cost. Thus, a substantial improvement in the overall results could be achieved.