Improved modelling of the fuel cell power module within a system-level model for solid-oxide fuel cell cogeneration systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 195 (8) ◽  
pp. 2283-2290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Carl ◽  
Ned Djilali ◽  
Ian Beausoleil-Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
System Level ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Power Module ◽  
Level Model ◽  
System Level Model

Thermodynamic and dynamic analysis off a wind-powered off-grid industrial building integrated with solid oxide fuel cell and electrolyzer for energy management and storage

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Pegah Mottaghizadeh ◽  
Mahshid Fardadi ◽  
Faryar Jabbari ◽  
Jacob Brouwer
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Energy Storage System ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
System Level ◽  
Industrial Building ◽  
Oxide Fuel

Abstract In this study, an islanded microgrid system is proposed that integrates identical stacks of solid oxide fuel cell and electrolyzer to achieve a thermally self-sustained energy storage system. Thermal management of the SOEC is achieved by use of heat from the SOFC with a heat exchanger network and control strategies. While the SOFC meets the building electricity demand and heat from its electrochemical reactions is transferred to the SOEC for endothermic heat and standby demands. Each component is physically modelled in Simulink and ultimately integrated at the system level for dynamic analyses. The current work simulates a system comprised of a wind farm in Palm Springs, CA coupled with the SOEC (for H2 generation), and an industrial building powered by the SOFC. Results from two-weeks of operation using measured building and wind data showed that despite fluctuating power profiles, average temperature and local temperature gradients of both the SOEC and SOFC were within desired tolerances. However, for severe conditions of wind power deficit, H2 had to be supplied from previous windy days' storage or imported.

Reliability analysis for a multi-stack solid oxide fuel cell system subject to operation condition-dependent degradation

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Konrad W. Eichhorn Colombo ◽  
Peter Schütz ◽  
Vladislav V. Kharton
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Reliability Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Program ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
System Level ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up

PurposeA reliability analysis of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system is presented for applications with strict constant power supply requirements, such as data centers. The purpose is to demonstrate the effect when moving from a module-level to a system-level in terms of reliability, also considering effects during start-up and degradation.Design/methodology/approachIn-house experimental data on a system-level are used to capture the behavior during start-up and normal operation, including drifts of the operation point due to degradation. The system is assumed to allow replacement of stacks during operation, but a minimum number of stacks in operation is needed to avoid complete shutdown. Experimental data are used in conjunction with a physics-based performance model to construct the failure probability function. A dynamic program then solves the optimization problem in terms of time and replacement requirements to minimize the total negative deviation from a given target reliability.FindingsResults show that multi-stack SOFC systems face challenges which are only revealed on a system- and not on a module-level. The main finding is that the reliability of multi-stack SOFC systems is not sufficient to serve as sole power source for critical applications such as data center.Practical implicationsThe principal methodology may be applicable to other modular systems which include multiple critical components (of the same kind). These systems comprise other electrochemical systems such as further fuel cell types.Originality/valueThe novelty of this work is the combination of mathematical modeling to solve a real-world problem, rather than assuming idealized input which lead to more benign system conditions. Furthermore, the necessity to use a mathematical model, which captures sufficient physics of the SOFC system as well as stochasticity elements of its environment, is of critical importance. Some simplifications are, however, necessary because the use of a detailed model directly in the dynamic program would have led to a combinatorial explosion of the numerical solution space.

Optimization of an Integrated SOFC-Fuel Processing System for Aircraft Propulsion

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Brinson ◽  
Juan C. Ordonez ◽  
Cesar A. Luongo
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
System Level ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Fuel Processing ◽  
Aircraft Propulsion

As fuel cells continue to improve in performance and power densities levels rise, potential applications ensue. System-level performance modeling tools are needed to further the investigation of future applications. One such application is small-scale aircraft propulsion. Both piloted and unmanned fuel cell aircrafts have been successfully demonstrated suggesting the near-term viability of revolutionizing small-scale aviation. Nearly all of the flight demonstrations and modeling efforts are conducted with low temperature fuel cells; however, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) should not be overlooked. Attributing to their durability and popularity in stationary applications, which require continuous operation, SOFCs are attractive options for long endurance flights. This study presents the optimization of an integrated solid oxide fuel cell-fuel processing system model for performance evaluation in aircraft propulsion. System parameters corresponding to maximum steady state thermal efficiencies for various flight phase power levels were obtained through implementation of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Optimal values for fuel utilization, air stoichiometric ratio, air bypass ratio, and burner ratio, a four-dimensional optimization problem, were obtained while constraining the SOFC operating temperature to 650–1000 °C. The PSO swarm size was set to 35 particles, and the number of iterations performed for each case flight power level was set at 40. Results indicate the maximum thermal efficiency of the integrated fuel cell-fuel processing system remains in the range of 44–46% throughout descend, loitering, and cruise conditions. This paper discusses a system-level model of an integrated fuel cell-fuel processing system, and presents a methodology for system optimization through the particle swarm algorithm.

scholarly journals Modelling and Performance of a Microtubular YSZ-Based Anode Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack and Power Module

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 166-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Ferriz ◽  
M.A. Laguna-Bercero ◽  
M. Ruperez ◽  
J. Mora ◽  
L.C. Correas
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Power Module ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
And Performance

Design and Emulation of a Turbocharged Bio-Fuelled SOFC Plant

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Marco De Campo ◽  
Loredana Magistri
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Vessel ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
System Level ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Inlet Conditions

This paper presents a steady-state model of an innovative turbocharged solid oxide fuel cell system fed by biofuel. The aim of this plant layout is the development of a reduced-cost solution, which involves the pressurization carried out with a mass production machine such as a turbocharger (instead of a microturbine). The turbocharger pressurizes the solid oxide fuel cell to increase the performance. Following the experimental results to choose the suitable machine and for validating the turbocharger model, this tool was implemented to model the whole plant. It was used to calculate the operational conditions and to define the coupling aspects between the turbocharger, the recuperator and the solid oxide fuel cell system (comprising a fuel cell stack, an air preheater, a reformer, an off-gas burner and an anodic ejector). The model permitted the component characterization and supported the design of an emulator test rig based on the coupling of a turbocharger and a pressure vessel. This facility was designed to conduct the experimental tests at system level on the matching between the machine and the fuel cell, especially for the dynamic and the control system aspects. To emulate the fuel cell, the rig was based on a specially designed pressure vessel equipped with a burner and inert ceramic materials. Moreover, the facility was designed to produce the turbine inlet conditions in terms of mass flow, temperature, pressure and gas composition (similitude conditions can be evaluated).

Optimization of an Integrated SOFC-Fuel Processing System for Aircraft Propulsion

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Brinson ◽  
Juan C. Ordonez ◽  
Cesar A. Luongo
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
System Level ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Fuel Processing ◽  
Aircraft Propulsion

As fuel cells continue to improve in performance and power densities levels rise, potential applications ensue. System-level performance modeling tools are needed to further the investigation of future applications. One such application is small-scale aircraft propulsion. Both piloted and unmanned fuel cell aircrafts have been successfully demonstrated suggesting the near-term viability of revolutionizing small-scale aviation. Nearly all of the flight demonstrations and modeling efforts are conducted with low temperature fuel cells; however, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) should not be overlooked. Attributing to their durability and popularity in stationary applications, which require continuous operation, SOFCs are attractive options for long endurance flights. This study presents the optimization of an integrated solid oxide fuel cell-fuel processing system model for performance evaluation in aircraft propulsion. System parameters corresponding to maximum steady state thermal efficiencies for various flight phase power levels were obtained through implementation of the PSO algorithm (Particle Swarm Optimization). Optimal values for fuel utilization, air stoichiometric ratio, air bypass ratio, and burner ratio, a 4-dimensional optimization problem, were obtained while constraining the SOFC operating temperature to 650–1000 °C. The PSO swarm size was set to 35 particles and the number of iterations performed for each case flight power level was set at 40. Results indicate the maximum thermal efficiency of the integrated fuel cell-fuel processing system remains in the range of 44–46% throughout descend, loitering, and cruise conditions. This paper discusses a system-level model of an integrated fuel cell - fuel processing system, and presents a methodology for system optimization through the particle swarm algorithm.

scholarly journals Off-Design Performance Analysis of a Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell/Gas Turbine Hybrid for Auxiliary Aerospace Power

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua E. Freeh ◽  
Christopher J. Steffen ◽  
Louis M. Larosiliere
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Power Level ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
System Level ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Full Power

A solid-oxide fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid system for auxiliary aerospace power is analyzed using 0-D and 1-D system-level models. The system is designed to produce 440kW of net electrical power, sized for a typical long-range 300-passenger civil airplane, at both sea level and cruise flight level (12,500m). In addition, a part power level of 250kW is analyzed at the cruise condition, a requirement of the operating power profile. The challenge of creating a balanced system for the three distinct conditions is presented, along with the compromises necessary for each case. A parametric analysis is described for the cruise part power operating point, in which the system efficiency is maximized by varying the air flow rate. The system is compared to an earlier version that was designed solely for cruise operation. The results show that it is necessary to size the turbomachinery, fuel cell, and heat exchangers at sea level full power rather than cruise full power. The resulting estimated mass of the system is 1912 kg, which is significantly higher than the original cruise design point mass, 1396 kg. The net thermal efficiencies with respect to the fuel LHV are calculated to be 42.4% at sea level full power, 72.6% at cruise full power, and 72.8% at cruise part power. The cruise conditions take advantage of pre-compressed air from the on-board Environmental Control System, which accounts for a portion of the unusually high thermal efficiency at those conditions. These results show that it is necessary to include several operating points in the overall assessment of an aircraft power system due to the variations throughout the operating profile.

scholarly journals Start-Up of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System with a View to Materials Science-Related Aspects, Control and Thermo-Mechanical Stresses

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 732
Author(s):  
Konrad W. Eichhorn Colombo ◽  
Vladislav V. Kharton
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Mechanical Stresses ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
System Level ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Physics Modeling

The start-up of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is investigated by means of numerical simulation with a view to material and operational constraints on a component and system level, as well as thermo-mechanical stresses. The applied multi-physics modeling approach couples thermal-, electrochemical, chemical-, and thermo-mechanical phenomena. In addition to constraints, emphasis is given to degrees of freedom with respect to manipulated and controlled variables of the system. Proper ramping during the start-up procedure keeps critical parameter values within a safe regime. Of particular interest are gradient in terms of temperature and chemical concentrations. Nevertheless, simulations show that thermo-mechanical stresses are relatively high during the initial start-up phase, the system is, thus, more susceptible to failure. The combination of multi-physics modeling in conjunction with practical control aspects for start-up of an SOFC, which is presented in this paper, is important for applications.

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