Modeling of a Direct Carbon Fuel Cell System

Author(s):  
K. Hemmes ◽  
M. Houwing ◽  
N. Woudstra

Direct Carbon Fuel Cells (DCFCs) have great thermodynamic advantages over other high temperature fuel cells such as MCFC and SOFC. They can have 100% fuel utilization, no Nernst loss (at the anode) and the CO2 produced at the anode is not mixed with other gases and is ready for reuse or sequestration. So far only studies have been reported on cell development. In this paper we study the performance of a CO2-producing DCFC system model. The theoretically predicted advantages that are confirmed on a bench scale are also confirmed on a system level, except for the production of pure CO2. Net system efficiencies of around 78 % were found for the developed system. An exergy analysis of the system shows where the losses in the system occur. If the cathode of the DCFC must be operated as a standard MCFC cathode the required CO2 at the cathode is the reason why a large part of the pure CO2 from the anode is recycled and mixed with the incoming air and cannot be used directly for sequestration. Bench scale studies should be performed to test the minimum amount of CO2 needed at the cathode. This might be lower than in standard MCFC operation due to the pure CO2 at the anode side that enhances diffusion towards the cathode.

Author(s):  
K. Hemmes ◽  
M. Houwing ◽  
N. Woudstra

Direct carbon fuel cells (DCFCs) have great thermodynamic advantages over other high temperature fuel cells such as molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) and solid oxide fuel cells. They can have 100% fuel utilization, no Nernst loss (at the anode), and the CO2 produced at the anode is not mixed with other gases and is ready for re-use or sequestration. So far, only studies have been reported on cell development. In this paper, we study the performance of a CO2-producing DCFC system model. The theoretically predicted advantages that are confirmed on a bench scale are also confirmed on a system level, except for the production of pure CO2. Net system efficiencies of around 78% were found for the developed system. An exergy analysis of the system shows where the losses in the system occur. If the cathode of the DCFC must be operated as a standard MCFC cathode, the required CO2 at the cathode is the reason why a large part of the pure CO2 from the anode is recycled and mixed with the incoming air and cannot be used directly for sequestration. Bench scale studies should be performed to test the minimum amount of CO2 needed at the cathode. This might be lower than in a standard MCFC operation due to the pure CO2 at the anode side that enhances diffusion toward the cathode.


2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teemu Vesanen ◽  
Krzysztof Klobut ◽  
Jari Shemeikka

Due to constantly increasing electricity consumption, networks are becoming overloaded and unstable. Decentralization of power generation using small-scale local cogeneration plants becomes an interesting option to improve economy and energy reliability of buildings in terms of both electricity and heat. It is expected that stationary applications in buildings will be one of the most important fields for fuel cell systems. In northern countries, like Finland, efficient utilization of heat from fuel cells is feasible. Even though the development of some fuel cell systems has already progressed to a field trial stage, relatively little is known about the interaction of fuel cells with building energy systems during a dynamic operation. This issue could be addressed using simulation techniques, but there has been a lack of adequate simulation models. International cooperation under IEA/ECBCS/Annex 42 aims at filling this gap, and the study presented in this paper is part of this effort. Our objective was to provide the means for studying the interaction between a building and a fuel cell system by incorporating a realistic fuel cell model into a building energy simulation. A two-part model for a solid-oxide fuel cell system has been developed. One part is a simplified model of the fuel cell itself. The other part is a system level model, in which a control volume boundary is assumed around a fuel cell power module and the interior of it is regarded as a “black box.” The system level model has been developed based on a specification defined within Annex 42. The cell model (programed in a spreadsheet) provides a link between inputs and outputs of the black box in the system model. This approach allows easy modifications whenever needed. The system level model has been incorporated into the building simulation tool IDA-ICE (Indoor Climate and Energy) using the neutral model format language. The first phase of model implementation has been completed. In the next phase, model validation will continue. The final goal is to create a comprehensive but flexible model, which could serve as a reliable tool to simulate the operation of different fuel cell systems in different buildings.


Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Fernandes ◽  
Joerg Brabandt ◽  
Oliver Posdziech ◽  
Ali Saadabadi ◽  
Mayra Recalde ◽  
...  

This paper describes the steps involved in the design, construction, and testing of a gasifier-specific solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. The design choices are based on reported thermodynamic simulation results for the entire gasifier- gas cleanup-SOFC system. The constructed SOFC system is tested and the measured parameters are compared with those given by a system simulation. Furthermore, a detailed exergy analysis is performed to determine the components responsible for poor efficiency. It is concluded that the SOFC system demonstrates reasonable agreement with the simulated results. Furthermore, based on the exergy results, the components causing major irreversible performance losses are identified.


2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sari Tasa ◽  
Teppo Aapro

Mobile device manufacturers would like to provide totally wireless solutions—including charging. Future multimedia devices need to have longer operation times as simultaneously they require more power. Device miniaturization leaves less volumetric space available also for the energy source. The energy density of the Li-ion batteries is high, and continuously developed, but not at the same speed as the demand from devices. Fuel cells can be one possible solution to power mobile devices without connection to the mains grid, but they will not fit to all use cases. The fuel cell system includes a core unit, fuel system, controls, and battery to level out peaks. The total energy efficiency is the sum of the performance of the whole system. The environmental performance of the fuel cell system cannot be determined yet. Regulatory and standardization work is on-going and driving the fuel cell technology development. The main target is in safety, which is very important aspect for energy technologies. The outcomes will also have an effect on efficiency, cost, design, and environmental performance. Proper water, thermal, airflow, and fuel management of the fuel cell system combined with mechanical durability and reliability are the crucial enablers for stable operation required from the integrated power source of a mobile device. Reliability must be on the same level as the reliability of the device the energy source is powering; this means years of continuous operation time. Typically, the end-users are not interested of the enabling technologies nor understand the usage limits. They are looking for easy to use devices to enhance their daily life. Fuel cell technology looks promising but there are many practical issues to be solved.


2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisie D. Boettner ◽  
Gino Paganelli ◽  
Yann G. Guezennec ◽  
Giorgio Rizzoni ◽  
Michael J. Moran

Abstract This paper describes use of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell system model for automotive applications in a fuel cell system/battery hybrid configuration. The fuel cell system model has been integrated into a vehicle performance simulator that determines fuel economy and allows consideration of control strategies. The simulator is used to explore relevant regions of the fuel cell-powered hybrid electric vehicle design space by conducting simulations using two simple supervisory-control strategies: thermostatic control and proportional control. During the simulations power provided by the battery and fuel cell system and operational limits on battery state of charge and fuel cell system current density are varied while maintaining minimum component sizing to meet vehicle performance criteria. Analysis of results from these simulations provides component power sizing and limits of operation suitable for development of a more advanced supervisory vehicle control strategy for a fuel cell vehicle.


2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisie D. Boettner ◽  
Gino Paganelli ◽  
Yann G. Guezennec ◽  
Giorgio Rizzoni ◽  
Michael J. Moran

Abstract This paper describes a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell system model for automotive applications that includes an air compressor, cooling system, and other auxiliaries. The fuel cell system model has been integrated into a vehicle performance simulator that determines fuel economy and allows consideration of control strategies. Significant fuel cell system efficiency improvements may be possible through control of the air compressor and other auxiliaries. Fuel cell system efficiency results are presented for two limiting air compressor cases: ideal control and no control. Extension of the present analysis to hybrid configurations consisting of a fuel cell system and battery is currently under study.


Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1353
Author(s):  
Jaeyoung Han ◽  
Sangseok Yu ◽  
Jinwon Yun

In this study, transient responses of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system were performed to understand the effect of sensor fault signal on the temperature sensor of the stack and the coolant inlet. We designed a system-level fuel cell model including a thermal management system, and a controller to analyze the dynamic behavior of fuel cell system applied with variable sensor fault scenarios such as stuck, offset, and scaling. Under drastic load variations, transient behavior is affected by fault signals of the sensor. Especially, the net power of the faulty system is 45.9 kW. On the other hand, the net power of the fault free system is 46.1 kW. Therefore, the net power of a faulty system is about 0.2 kW lower than that of a fault-free system. This analysis can help in understanding the transient behavior of fuel cell systems at the system level under fault situations and provide a proper failure avoidance control strategy for the fuel cell system.


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