A Spatially Resolved Physical Model for Dynamic Modeling of a Novel Hybrid Reformer-Electrolyzer-Purifier (REP) for Production of Hydrogen

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek McVay ◽  
Li Zhao ◽  
Jack Brouwer ◽  
Fred Jahnke ◽  
Matt Lambrech
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Physical Model ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
Co2 Removal ◽  
Molten Carbonate ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen

A molten carbonate electrolysis cell (MCEC) is capable of separating carbon dioxide from methane reformate while simultaneously electrolyzing water. Methane reformate, for this study, primarily consists of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, and a high percentage of water. Carbon dioxide is required for the operation of a MCEC since a carbonate ion is formed and travels from the reformate channel to the sweep gas channel. In this study, a spatially resolved physical model was developed to simulate an MCEC in a novel hybrid reformer electrolyzer purifier (REP) configuration for high purity hydrogen production from methane and water. REP effectively acts as an electrochemical CO2 purifier of hydrogen. In order to evaluate the performance of REP, a dynamic MCEC stack model was developed based upon previous high temperature molten carbonate fuel cell modeling studies carried out at the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine. The current model is capable of capturing both steady state performance and transient behavior of an MCEC stack using established physical models originating from first principals. The model was first verified with REP experimental data at steady state which included spatial temperature profiles. Preliminary results show good agreement with experimental data in terms of spatial distribution of temperature, current density, voltage, and power. The combined effect of steam methane reformation (SMR) and water electrolysis with electrochemical CO2 removal results in 96% dry-basis hydrogen at the cathode outlet of the MCEC. Experimental measurements reported 98% dry-basis hydrogen at the cathode outlet.

Performance Evaluation of a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell/Micro Gas Turbine Hybrid System With Oxy-Combustion Carbon Capture

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Ho Ahn ◽  
Tong Seop Kim
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Molten Carbonate ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Carbonate Fuel Cell

Owing to the increasing consumption of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases, interests in highly efficient and low carbon emitting power systems are growing fast. Several research groups have been suggesting advanced systems based on fuel cells and have also been applying carbon capture and storage technology to satisfy the demand for clean energy. In this study, the performance of a hybrid system, which is a combination of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) with oxy-combustion carbon capture and an indirectly fired micro gas turbine (MGT) was predicted. A 2.5MW MCFC system that is used in commercial applications was used as the reference system so that the results of the study could be applicable to practical situations. The ambient pressure type hybrid system was modeled by referring to the design parameters of an MGT that is currently being developed. A semi-closed type design characterized by flow recirculation was adopted for this hybrid system. A part of the recirculating gas is converted into liquefied carbon dioxide and captured for storage at the carbon separation unit. Almost 100% carbon dioxide capture is possible with this system. In these systems, the output power of the fuel cell is larger than in the normal hybrid system without carbon capture because the partial pressure of carbon dioxide increases. The increased cell power partially compensates for the power loss due to the carbon capture and MGT power reduction. The dependence of net system efficiency of the oxy-hybrid on compressor pressure ratio is marginal, especially beyond an optimal value.

Performance Evaluation of a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell/Micro Gas Turbine Hybrid System With Oxy-Combustion Carbon Capture

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Ho Ahn ◽  
Tong Seop Kim
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Carbon Capture ◽  
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Molten Carbonate ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Carbonate Fuel Cell

Owing to the increasing consumption of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases, interests in highly efficient and low carbon emitting power systems are growing fast. Several research groups have been suggesting advanced systems based on fuel cells and have also been applying carbon capture and storage technology to satisfy the demand for clean energy. In this study, the performance of a hybrid system, which is a combination of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) with oxy-combustion carbon capture and an indirectly fired micro gas turbine (MGT), was predicted. A 2.5 MW MCFC system that is used in commercial applications was used as the reference system so that the results of the study could be applied to practical situations. The ambient pressure type hybrid system was modeled by referring to the design parameters of an MGT that is currently being developed. A semi-closed type design characterized by flow recirculation was adopted for this hybrid system. A part of the recirculating gas is converted into liquefied carbon dioxide and captured for storage at the carbon separation unit (CSU). Almost 100% carbon dioxide capture is possible with this system. In these systems, the output power of the fuel cell is larger than in the normal hybrid system without carbon capture because the partial pressure of carbon dioxide increases. The increased cell power partially compensates for the power loss due to the carbon capture and MGT power reduction. The dependence of net system efficiency of the oxy-hybrid on compressor pressure ratio is marginal, especially beyond an optimal value.

scholarly journals Integrated Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell: Steady-State Model of a Bundle and Validation through Single Tube Experimental Data

Energies ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 13231-13254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Costamagna ◽  
Simone Grosso ◽  
Rowland Travis ◽  
Loredana Magistri
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
State Model ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Single Tube ◽  
Steady State Model

Combination of a Nonlinear Static and a Linear Dynamic Model of the NETL HyPer System

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardo Restrepo ◽  
Larry E. Banta ◽  
Alex J. Tsai ◽  
David Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Control Systems ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Transfer Functions ◽  
State Variables ◽  
Linear Dynamic ◽  
Wide Range

A nonlinear steady-state thermodynamic model was coupled with linearized dynamic transfer functions to achieve a dynamic description of the NETL HyPer Fuel Cell Gas Turbine (FC/GT) power plant. Nonlinear dynamic models insure accuracy in modeling steady-state behavior over a wide range of operation, but such models are often complex and difficult to implement in real-time using conventional control systems equipment. Conversely, the linearized models provide the ability to predict transient behavior upon which dynamic control systems can be constructed, but are valid only about a narrow operating point. In systems with one or two state variables, it is relatively straightforward to construct controllers that use gain scheduling schemes. But the HyPer system contains many coupled state variables and high degrees of nonlinearity. A method called Real-Time Piecewise Linear Dynamic Modeling (RPLDM) has been implemented to provide both modeling accuracy and real-time performance for the HyPer system over a multi-dimensional hypersurface. Both the nonlinear and the linear constituent models were constructed based on experimental data collected in tests performed on the HyPer system. The models presently consider only the cathode circuit of the fuel cell and contain a recuperated gas turbine system equipped with an electric generator, a simulated fuel cell cathode and various bypass valves for thermal management and system control. The key variables of air temperature, air pressure and mass flow to the cathode of the fuel cell and the turbomachinery have been predicted to within 2% of measured values. This paper presents the modeling technique and comparisons of the model output with experimental data.

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