Fuel Cell Gas Turbine Hybrid Simulation Facility Design

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Tucker ◽  
Eric Liese ◽  
John VanOsdol ◽  
Larry Lawson ◽  
Randall S. Gemmen
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
System Response ◽  
Facility Design ◽  
Transient Event ◽  
Load Following ◽  
Transient Events

Fuel cell hybrid power systems have potential for the highest electrical power generation efficiency. Fuel cell gas turbine hybrid systems are currently under development as the first step in commercializing this technology. The dynamic interdependencies resulting from the integration of these two power generation technologies is not well understood. Unexpected complications can arise in the operation of an integrated system, especially during startup and transient events. Fuel cell gas turbine systems designed to operate under steady state conditions have limitations in studying the dynamics of a transient event without risk to the more fragile components of the system. A 250kW experimental fuel cell gas turbine system test facility has been designed at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), U.S. Department of Energy to examine the effects of transient events on the dynamics of these systems. The test facility will be used to evaluate control strategies for improving system response to transient events and load following. A fuel cell simulator, consisting of a natural gas burner controlled by a real time fuel cell model, will be integrated into the system in place of a real solid oxide fuel cell. The use of a fuel cell simulator in the initial phases allows for the exploration of transient events without risk of destroying an actual fuel cell. Fuel cell models and hybrid system models developed at NETL have played an important role in guiding the design of facility equipment and experimental research planning. Results of certain case studies using these models are discussed. Test scenarios were analyzed for potential thermal and mechanical impact on fuel cell, heat exchanger and gas turbine components. Temperature and pressure drop calculations were performed to determine the maximum impact on system components and design. Required turbine modifications were designed and tested for functionality. The resulting facility design will allow for examination of startup, shut down, loss of load to the fuel cell during steady state operations, loss of load to the turbine during steady state operations and load following.

Predicting Flameholding for Hydrogen and Natural Gas Flames at Gas Turbine Premixer Conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot Sullivan-Lewis ◽  
Vincent McDonell
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Temperature Variations ◽  
Auto Ignition ◽  
Chamber Temperature ◽  
Transient Events ◽  
Significant Effort

Lean-premixed gas turbines are now common devices for low emissions stationary power generation. By creating a homogeneous mixture of fuel and air upstream of the combustion chamber, temperature variations are reduced within the combustor, which reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides. However, by premixing fuel and air, a potentially flammable mixture is established in a part of the engine not designed to contain a flame. If the flame propagates upstream from the combustor (flashback), significant engine damage can result. While significant effort has been put into developing flashback resistant combustors, these combustors are only capable of preventing flashback during steady operation of the engine. Transient events (e.g., auto-ignition within the premixer and pressure spikes during ignition) can trigger flashback that cannot be prevented with even the best combustor design. In these cases, preventing engine damage requires designing premixers that will not allow a flame to be sustained. Experimental studies were conducted to determine under what conditions premixed flames of hydrogen and natural gas can be anchored in a simulated gas turbine premixer. Tests have been conducted at pressures up to 9 atm, temperatures up to 750 K, and freestream velocities between 20 and 100 m/s. Flames were anchored in the wakes of features typical of premixer passageways, including cylinders, steps, and airfoils. The results of this study have been used to develop an engineering tool that predicts under what conditions a flame will anchor, and can be used for development of flame anchoring resistant gas turbine premixers.

scholarly journals Fuel cell–gas turbine hybrid system design part I: Steady state performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
pp. 412-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin McLarty ◽  
Jack Brouwer ◽  
Scott Samuelsen
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
System Design ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Steady State Performance

Preliminary Study on Combustion of Biodiesel for Power Generation

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ee Sann Tan ◽  
Kumaran Palanisamy ◽  
Ibrahim Hussein ◽  
Farid Nasir Ani
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Alternative Fuel ◽  
Waste Cooking Oil ◽  
Combustion Efficiency ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Animal Fats ◽  
Cooking Oil ◽  
Crude Oil Prices

In the recent wake of escalating crude oil prices due to depletion of fossil fuel, biodiesel has generated a significant interest as an alternative fuel for the future. The use of biodiesel to fuel microturbines or gas turbine application is envisaged to solve problems of diminishing supplies of fossil fuel reserves and environmental concerns. This paper examines the combustion of biodiesel derived from Malaysian Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) in a combustion test facility to study the feasibility of using the designated fuel at five various volumetric ratios for gas turbine application. Biodiesel was produced from waste cooking oil in Malaysia, mainly from palm oil sources and animal fats. The oil burner was able to fire the five blends of fuel without any modification or pretreatment. The combustion performance of Malaysian WCO biodiesel and distillate blends was examined with respect to the combustion efficiency. The results indicated biodiesel combustion required less air for stoichiometric combustion due to presence of oxygen in the fuel. Indeed biodiesel stand as a potential alternative fuel for power generation application with the best efficiency at blended ratio of 20% biodiesel and 80% distillate.

Preliminary Results of a Cold Flow Test in a Fuel Cell Gas Turbine Hybrid Simulation Facility

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Tucker ◽  
Larry Lawson ◽  
Randy Gemmen
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Thermal Output ◽  
Steady State Operation ◽  
Flow Test ◽  
Transient Events

The dynamic interdependencies created during the integration of fuel cell and a gas turbine in a hybrid power generation system are not well understood. Because these systems are new, there are risks that unexpected complications might arise during both steady state operation and transient events. A 250kW experimental fuel cell gas turbine simulation facility has been constructed at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), U.S. Department of Energy to examine the effects of transient events on the dynamics of these systems. A natural gas burner controlled by a real-time fuel cell model is used in the facility to simulate the thermal output of a solid oxide fuel cell during transient events. Pressure vessels are used for simulating the cathode and post combustion volumes, and are integrated into the system with a modified turbine and the fuel cell simulator. Preliminary results of system characterization are presented and discussed in context of the test scenarios proposed for experimental evaluation of thermal and mechanical transient impact on fuel cell and the gas turbine systems.

scholarly journals Performance Analysis of Fuel Cell and Gas Turbine Combined Power Generation Systems.

2001 ◽  
Vol 67 (664) ◽  
pp. 3203-3208
Author(s):  
Kousuke NISHIDA ◽  
Toshimi TAKAGI ◽  
Shinichi KINOSHITA ◽  
Tadashi TSUJI
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Generation Systems

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Twin-Entry Radial Inflow Gas Turbine With Unsymmetrical Volute Under Full and Partial Admission Conditions

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habib Aghaali ◽  
Ali Hajilouy-Benisi
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Performance Prediction ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Special Test ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Partial Admission

In this paper the performance characteristics of turbocharger twin-entry radial inflow gas turbine with unsymmetrical volute and rotor tip diameter of 73.6 mm in steady state and under full and partial admission conditions are investigated. The employed method is based on one dimensional performance prediction which is developed for partial admission conditions. Furthermore this method is developed for unsymmetrical volute of the turbine considering flow specifications. Experimental investigation of the research carried out on special test facility under full and partial admission conditions for a wide range of speed. The comparison of experimental and modeling results shows good agreements. Interestingly, the turbine maximum efficiency occurs when the shroud side inlet mass flow is higher than that of hub side.

Performance Evaluation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Engines Integrated With Single/Dual-Spool Turbochargers

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
So-Ryeok Oh ◽  
Jing Sun ◽  
Herb Dobbs ◽  
Joel King
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Load Following ◽  
Fuel Flow

This study investigates the performance and operating characteristics of 5kW-class solid oxide fuel cell and gas turbine (SOFC/GT) hybrid systems for two different configurations, namely single- and dual- spool gas turbines. Both single and dual spool turbo-chargers are widely used in the gas turbine industry. Even though their operation is based on the same physical principles, their performance characteristics and operation parameters vary considerably due to different designs. The implications of the differences on the performance of the hybrid SOFC/GT have not been discussed in literature, and will be the topic of this paper. Operating envelops of single and dual shaft systems are identified and compared. Performance in terms of system efficiency and load following is analyzed. Sensitivities of key variables such as power, SOFC temperature, and GT shaft speed to the control inputs (namely, fuel flow, SOFC current, generator load) are characterized, all in an attempt to gain insights on the design implication for the single and dual shaft SOFC/GT systems. Dynamic analysis are also performed for part load operation and load transitions, which shed lights for the development of safe and optimal control strategies.

The Development of a Neural Network Based System for the Optimal Control of Chain-Grate Stoker-Fired Boilers

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Z. S. Chong ◽  
S. J. Wilcox ◽  
J. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Combustion Efficiency ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Load Following ◽  
Online Implementation

Abstract A novel Neural Network Based Controller (NNBC) was developed following a comprehensive set of experiments carried out on a pilot-scale stoker test facility at CRE Group Ltd., U.K. The NNBC mimicked the actions of an expert boiler operator, by providing ‘near optimum’ settings of coal feed and air flow, as well as ‘staging’ these parameters during load following conditions, before fine tuning the combustion air under quasi-steady-state conditions. Test results from the online implementation of the NNBC have demonstrated that improved transient and steady-state combustion conditions were attained. The prototype NNBC thus provides both stoker manufacturers and users with a means of reducing pollutant emissions, as well as improving the combustion efficiency of this type of coal firing equipment.

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