Micro Gas Turbine Based Test Rig for Hybrid System Emulation

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Pascenti ◽  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Loredana Magistri ◽  
Aristide F. Massardo
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Experimental Facility ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Transient Model ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Preliminary Experimental Data ◽  
Critical Phases ◽  
And Control

The Thermochemical Power Group (TPG) is building at the laboratory of the University of Genoa, Italy, a new high temperature fuel cell - micro gas turbine physical emulator based on commercial machine technology. The aim of this new test rig is the experimental analysis of the coupling of commercial machines with fuel cell stacks focusing the attention on the critical phases of start-up, shutdown and load changes. The experimental facility is composed of a Turbec T100 micro gas turbine package modified for the fuel cell emulator connection, a set of pipes designed for by-pass, measurement or bleed reasons, and a high temperature volume designed for the RRFCS stack dimension physical emulation. This experimental approach is essential for model validations, and to test different transient operative procedures and control systems without any risk for an expensive real fuel cell stack. This paper shows the preliminary experimental data obtained with the machine in stand alone configuration, focusing the attention on the comparison of these results with the tests performed with the external pipes. Furthermore, a theoretical transient model of this new experimental facility has been developed with the TRANSEO tool. It is essential for the rig design and to perform preliminary results necessary to prevent dangerous conditions during the tests. This paper reports a preliminary verification of this model performed with the facility.

Emulation of Hybrid System Start-Up and Shutdown Phases With a Micro Gas Turbine Based Test Rig

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Matteo Pascenti ◽  
Loredana Magistri ◽  
Aristide F. Massardo
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Critical Phases

The aim of this work, focused on natural gas fired distributed power systems, is the experimental analysis of the start-up and shutdown for high temperature fuel cell hybrid systems. These critical phases have been emulated using the micro gas turbine test rig developed by TPG at the University of Genoa, Italy. The rig is based on the coupling of a modified commercial 100 kWe recuperated gas turbine with a modular volume designed to emulate fuel cell stacks of different dimensions. It is essential to test the dynamic interaction between the machine and the fuel cell, and to develop different operative procedures and control systems without any risk to the expensive stack. This paper shows the preliminary experimental results obtained with the machine connected to the volume. The attention is mainly focused on avoiding surge and excessive stress on the machine components during the tests. Finally, after the presentation of the valve control system, this paper reports the emulation of the hybrid system start-up and shutdown phases. They have been performed to produce a gradual heating up and cooling down of the fuel cell volume, using the cold bypass line, three high temperature valves, and the machine load control system. This approach is necessary to avoid high thermal stress on the cell material, extremely dangerous for the plant life.

Hybrid Simulation Facility Based on Commercial 100 kWe Micro Gas Turbine

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario L. Ferrari ◽  
Matteo Pascenti ◽  
Roberto Bertone ◽  
Loredana Magistri
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell ◽  
Molten Carbonate ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Similar System ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine

A new high temperature fuel cell-micro gas turbine physical emulator has been designed and installed in the framework of the European Integrated Project “FELICITAS” at the Thermochemical Power Group (TPG) laboratory located at Savona. The test rig is based on a commercial 100 kWe recuperated micro gas turbine (mGT) (Turbec T100) modified to be connected to a modular volume designed for physical emulation of fuel cell stack influence. The test rig has been developed starting with a complete theoretical analysis of the micro gas turbine design and off-design performance and with the definition of the more flexible layout to be used for different hybrid system (molten carbonate fuel cell or solid oxide fuel cell) emulation. The layout of the system (connecting pipes, valves, and instrumentation, in particular mass flow meter locations) has been carefully designed, and is presented in detail in this paper. Particular attention has been focused on the viscous pressure loss minimization: (i) to reduce the unbalance between compressor and expander, (ii) to maintain a high measurement precision, and (iii) to have an effective plant flexibility. Moreover, the volume used to emulate the cell stack has been designed to be strongly modular (different from a similar system developed by U.S. Department Of Energy-National Energy Technology Laboratory) to allow different volume size influence on the mGT rig to be easily tested. The modular high temperature volume has been designed using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) commercial tool (FLUENT). The CFD analysis was used (i) to reach a high level of uniformity in the flow distribution inside the volume, (ii) to have a velocity field (m/s) similar to the one existing inside the emulated cell stack, and (iii) to minimize (as possible) the pressure losses. The volume insulation will also allow to consider a strong thermal capacity effect during the tests. This paper reports the experimental results of several tests carried out on the rig (using the mGT at electrical stand-alone conditions with the machine control system operating at constant rotational speed) at different load values and at both steady-state and transient conditions.

Assessment of the Potential of Combined Micro Gas Turbine and High Temperature Fuel Cell Systems

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Bohn ◽  
Nathalie Po¨ppe ◽  
Joachim Lepers
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Advanced Materials ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Technological Assessment

The present paper reports a detailed technological assessment of two concepts of integrated micro gas turbine and high temperature (SOFC) fuel cell systems. The first concept is the coupling of micro gas turbines and fuel cells with heat exchangers, maximising availability of each component by the option for easy stand-alone operation. The second concept considers a direct coupling of both components and a pressurised operation of the fuel cell, yielding additional efficiency augmentation. Based on state-of-the-art technology of micro gas turbines and solid oxide fuel cells, the paper analyses effects of advanced cycle parameters based on future material improvements on the performance of 300–400 kW combined micro gas turbine and fuel cell power plants. Results show a major potential for future increase of net efficiencies of such power plants utilising advanced materials yet to be developed. For small sized plants under consideration, potential net efficiencies around 70% were determined. This implies possible power-to-heat-ratios around 9.1 being a basis for efficient utilisation of this technology in decentralised CHP applications.

Experimental Investigation of a SOFC/MGT Hybrid Power Plant Test Rig: Impact and Characterization of a Fuel Cell Emulator

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Hohloch ◽  
Andreas Huber ◽  
Manfred Aigner
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Hybrid Power ◽  
Hybrid Power Plant ◽  
Plant Test

The main topic of the paper is the experimental investigation of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) / micro gas turbine (MGT) hybrid power plant test rig. This comprises the proof of concept, the characterization of the operational range and the influence of the coupling on the MGT. The operational concept of the hybrid power plant is designed to reach a maximum flexibility in electrical power output. Therefore the power plant is operated at different MGT shaft speeds and electrical power outputs of the SOFC, thus leading to different SOFC temperatures. Instead of a real fuel cell an emulator was developed and built to emulate the fluid dynamic and thermodynamic behavior of a real SOFC. The test rig is based on a Turbec T100PH micro gas turbine. A specially designed interface connects the facility to the tubing system and the SOFC emulator. For the present investigation the SOFC emulator has been equipped with a gas preheater. It emulates the varying heat output of the fuel cell. The gas preheater is composed of a natural gas combustor based on the FLOX® technology, with a swirl-stabilized pilot stage and allows a wide range of emulating different SOFC outlet temperatures. In addition installations have been integrated into a pressure vessel, representing the SOFC cathode volume, to analyze the increase in residence time and pressure loss. Initially three different configurations of the test rig, no SOFC emulator – tube only, SOFC emulator with pressure vessels and fully equipped SOFC emulator (pressure vessels, installations and gas preheater) are compared regarding the influence of the different volumes, residence times and pressure losses. The operating range of the test rig equipped with gas preheater in cold (no fuel) as well as in hot conditions is investigated. As the velocity at the entrance of the gas turbine combustor increases with increased fuel cell outlet temperature the surge margin is strongly influenced. The operating range was determined for different shaft speeds and preheating (SOFC outlet) temperatures. Finally the transient behavior of the gas preheater and its impact on the MGT is analyzed. The results provide the required basis to implement a cyber physical system, in which the SOFC emulator is controlled by a SOFC model, as well as the basis for the real coupling of MGT and SOFC.

Micro Gas Turbine Real-Time Modeling: Test Rig Verification

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Ghigliazza ◽  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
Matteo Pascenti ◽  
Aristide F. Massardo
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Time Model ◽  
The Real ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Time Modeling

This paper reports on the latest application of a generic time-dependent real-time simulation tool, originally developed for fuel cell gas turbine hybrid systems, and now applied to an actual micro gas turbine test rig. Real-time modeling is a recognized approach for monitoring advanced systems and improving control capabilities: applications of real-time models are commonly used in the automotive and aircraft fields. The overall objective is improving of calculation time in existing time-dependent simulation models, while retaining acceptable accuracy of results. The real-time modeling approach already applied to fuel cell gas turbine systems has here been validated against the experimental data from the micro gas turbine Turbec T100 test rig in Savona, Italy. The real-time model of the microturbine recuperator has been newly developed to fit such an application. Two representative transient operations have been selected for verification: the heating and cooling phases of the connected volume. The results already show an acceptable agreement with measurements, and they have contributed to a better insight into performance prediction for the entire plant.

Micro Gas Turbine Test Rig for Hybrid Power Plant Application

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Hohloch ◽  
Axel Widenhorn ◽  
Dominik Lebku¨chner ◽  
Tobias Panne ◽  
Manfred Aigner
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Hybrid Power ◽  
Combustion Technology ◽  
Hybrid Power Plant ◽  
Under Construction

Within the scope of a hybrid power plant project a micro gas turbine test rig was developed and is actually under construction at the DLR Institute of Combustion Technology. The test rig consists of a Turbec T100PH micro gas turbine and the required piping system for the hybrid application. Instead of a real solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack a fuel cell simulator is used to avoid any risks for the sensitive and expensive real device. This simulator is able to emulate the SOFC interface conditions. The present paper reports the underlying pressurized hybrid power plant cycle, the setup of the test rig and the selection of the subsystems. Initially the micro gas turbine, equipped with a detailed instrumentation, was analyzed separately. First experimental data obtained with the micro gas turbine are presented.

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.

scholarly journals Thermodynamic modelling and efficiency analysis of a class of real indirectly fired gas turbine cycles

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Zheshu Ma ◽  
Zhenhuan Zhu
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Forecast Performance ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Temperature Heat

Indirectly or externally-fired gas-turbines (IFGT or EFGT) are novel technology under development for small and medium scale combined power and heat supplies in combination with micro gas turbine technologies mainly for the utilization of the waste heat from the turbine in a recuperative process and the possibility of burning biomass or 'dirty' fuel by employing a high temperature heat exchanger to avoid the combustion gases passing through the turbine. In this paper, by assuming that all fluid friction losses in the compressor and turbine are quantified by a corresponding isentropic efficiency and all global irreversibilities in the high temperature heat exchanger are taken into account by an effective efficiency, a one dimensional model including power output and cycle efficiency formulation is derived for a class of real IFGT cycles. To illustrate and analyze the effect of operational parameters on IFGT efficiency, detailed numerical analysis and figures are produced. The results summarized by figures show that IFGT cycles are most efficient under low compression ratio ranges (3.0-6.0) and fit for low power output circumstances integrating with micro gas turbine technology. The model derived can be used to analyze and forecast performance of real IFGT configurations.

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.

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