scholarly journals Safety and Reliability Analysis of an Ammonia-Powered Fuel-Cell System

Safety ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Nikoletta L Trivyza ◽  
Michail Cheliotis ◽  
Evangelos Boulougouris ◽  
Gerasimos Theotokatos
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Hazard Identification ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Shipping Industry ◽  
Safety And Reliability ◽  
Zero Carbon ◽  
Promising Solution ◽  
Efficient Power ◽  
The Impact

Recently, the shipping industry has been under increasing pressure to improve its environmental impact with a target of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, compared to the 2008 levels. For this reason, great attention has been placed on alternative zero-carbon fuels, specifically ammonia, which is considered a promising solution for shipping decarbonisation. In this respect, a novel ammonia-powered fuel-cell configuration is proposed as an energy-efficient power generation configuration with excellent environmental performance. However, there are safety and reliability concerns of the proposed ammonia-powered system that need to be addressed prior to its wider acceptance by the maritime community. Therefore, this is the first attempt to holistically examine the safety, operability, and reliability of an ammonia fuel-cell-powered ship, while considering the bunkering and fuel specifications. The proposed methodology includes the novel combination of a systematic preliminary hazard identification process with a functional and model-based approach for simulating the impact of various hazards. Furthermore, the critical faults and functional failures of the proposed system are identified and ranked according to their importance. This work can be beneficial for both shipowners and policymakers by introducing technical innovation and for supporting the future regulatory framework.

Systems Analysis of Diesel Based Fuel Cells for Auxiliary Power Units

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Berry ◽  
Robert James ◽  
Todd H. Gardner ◽  
Dushyant Shekhawat
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Diesel Fuel ◽  
Systems Analysis ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Sulfur Poisoning ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Auxiliary Power ◽  
Auxiliary Power Units ◽  
The Impact

The near-term commercial success for many fuel cell technologies will rely on their ability to utilize current infrastructure fuels. Several large ready-markets exist for fuel cell systems that utilize middle distillate petroleum fractions like diesel fuel. One particular application is diesel-based auxiliary power units (APU). Unfortunately, very little research and development has been devoted to this application. Ongoing research at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and other organizations is trying to address this need. In order for a fuel cell to utilize diesel fuel, it must be reformed into a synthesis gas containing primarily hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, steam and possibly methane. Because catalytic reforming of hydrocarbon fuels is conducted at the same relative operating temperatures of technologies like solid oxide fuel cells (800–1000°C) a high degree of thermal integration is possible. Unfortunately, carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning of catalysts in the reformer and fuel cell make system operation potentially complicated and costly. To help understand and quantify the impact of these issues on technology development and component, a number of systems analysis was conducted for a diesel-based fuel cell system. One particular system based on a hybrid combustor/reformer concept allowed for excellent utilization of available heat from the fuel cell and yielded an overall fuel to electric conversion efficiency of nearly 50%. This paper discusses its salient features and compares its characteristics to other possible system configurations.

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System and the Economical Feasibility

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erkko Fontell ◽  
Tho Phan ◽  
Timo Kivisaari ◽  
Kimmo Keränen
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Market Conditions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Economical Feasibility

In the paper, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system is briefly described and its economical feasibility in three different applications is analyzed. In the feasibility analysis, the SOFC system is part of commercial applications where energy is used for power and heat generation. In the economical analysis, the three applications have different load profiles which are studied separately at different geographical locations with associated local energy market conditions. The price for natural gas and electricity varies by location, leading to a different feasibility condition for stationary fuel cell application as well as for other distributed generation equipment. In the study, the spark spread of natural gas and electricity is used as a base variable for the analysis. The feasibility is analyzed in the case of an electricity-only application as well as with two combined heat and power applications, where an economical value is assigned to the produced and consumed heat. The impact on economical competitiveness of possible incentives for the generated fuel cell power is estimated. A sensitivity analysis with different fuel cell-units’ electrical efficiency, maintenance cost, and payback period is presented. Finally, the maximum allowed investment cost levels for the SOFC system at different locations and market conditions is presented.

scholarly journals Biogas to Fuel Cell State of The Art: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-104
Author(s):  
Shafini Mohd Shafie ◽  
A Harits Nu'man ◽  
Nik Nurul Anis Nik Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
The Impact

Due to the emerging development in the energy industry, the demand for electricity consumption has sharply increased for each country. Therefore, a new recovery of energy resources is needed in consequence of the decreasing dependency on conventional energy resources, while sustaining energy security in the aspect of energy supply and climate change issues. The fuel cell is one of the most potential resources to be explored in order to overcome the constraints of the current energy generation. The aim of this paper is to discuss the entire cycle of the fuel cell system. It is starting from biogas production up to the recent studies related to life cycle assessment on fuel cell studies. Most of the researchers focused on the technical part of fuel cells; however, a comprehensive environmental assessment is essential to fully recognize the impact of fuel cells. Furthermore, this conceptual paper provided an idea on understanding the concept of fuel cell and referred to recently published articles related to life cycle assessment. Hopefully, this study can provide the guideline in determining the future energy for this country, in order to be less dependent on the current resources of energy supply.

scholarly journals Sensitivity Study of Design Parameters for a Fuel Cell Powered Multirotor Drone

2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jørgen Apeland ◽  
Dimitrios G. Pavlou ◽  
Tor Hemmingsen
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Reduction Peak ◽  
Central System ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe use of multirotor drones for industrial applications is accelerating, and fuel cell based propulsion systems are highlighted as a promising approach to improve endurance – one of the current main limitations. Due to multirotor drones’ unique requirements, careful system design is needed to maximize the performance advantage. In this work a sensitivity analysis that quantifies the impact of central system parameters for an X8 multirotor drone with a 2 kW fuel cell hybrid system is presented and discussed. Thrust stand measurements identified a 20–30% efficiency loss from the coaxial configuration, and a ‘single’ configuration can reduce power consumption by 700 W at 25 kg take-off mass. Thus, a smaller fuel cell system can be used, giving an additional 1 kg mass saving and 75–140 W power reduction. Peak endurance is found at a 0.67 energy system weight fraction, and if batteries are improved from 180 Wh/kg to 350 Wh/kg, the energy system mass threshold from where fuel cells are superior rises from 7.4 kg to 8.5 kg. At 700 bar, a 3 L hydrogen cylinder can replace a 6 L at 300 bar, provide a 72-min endurance, and is the preferred option to reach minimum system volume. This work provides guidance in early conceptual stages and insights on how fuel cell based powerplants for multirotors can be improved and optimized to increase their value proposition. Further research can expand the work to cover other system variations and do experimental testing of system performance.

PEM Fuel Cell Electrodes Surface Defects Impact on the System Performance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor M. Fontalvo ◽  
Danny Illera ◽  
Marco E. Sanjuan ◽  
Humberto A. Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Dynamic System ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
System Response ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Free Process ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Fuel cell system manufacturing process is not a defect-free process, therefore, the impact of typical defects in the electrodes (i.e. Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL)) surface has to be taken into consideration when the fuel cell system is being designed. To assess the impact of the defect on the performance, two approaches were taken into consideration. Initially, the fuel cell system was simulated using a unidimensional (1D) dynamic model which took into consideration mass transfer, heat transfer, and electrochemical phenomena. The second approach was experimental, using a 5 sq.cm PEM fuel cell, the impact of the GDL porosity on the fuel cell system was studied. Also, the system response under different load changes was investigated. After that, experimental results are presented to give a better insight into the phenomena analyzed, mainly on the dynamic system response. Cracks and catalyst clusters were the main defects analyzed, both of them were observed in new membranes assemblies. To control the defects, new membranes assemblies were tested, and after that, defects were induced using Nafion solution and catalyst powder to emulate the presence of catalyst clusters. For the cracks, some fibers in the GDL cloth were cut to emulate the defect. Membranes now with defects were tested again to compare its performance and detect any performance loss due to the physical changes in the electrodes. Results indicate a strong correlation between the porosity and the supply air pressure and the system time constants. Also, the impact of the defects was evidenced in the dynamic system response, after step changes in the operating conditions.

Optimal Design of Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicles

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeongwoo Han ◽  
Michael Kokkolaras ◽  
Panos Y. Papalambros
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Vehicle Performance ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Management Optimization ◽  
And Control ◽  
Efficient Power ◽  
Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicles

Automotive use of fuel cells has received increased attention due to clean and efficient power generation. Successful vehicular applications require careful balance of design and control trade-offs. This article presents a model-based vehicle design capability with sufficient fidelity and efficiency to perform design and power management optimization using quasisteady fuel cell performance maps. Optimized fuel cell systems demonstrate a trade-off between power density and efficiency depending on compressor size. Vehicle performance can be improved significantly when the fuel cell system is designed to balance this trade-off.

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