Efficiency Upgrading of an Ambient Pressure Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Plant Through the Introduction of an Indirect Heated Gas Turbine

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 858-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Lunghi ◽  
S. Ubertini
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell ◽  
Molten Carbonate ◽  
Combustion Gas ◽  
Energy Devices ◽  
Carbonate Fuel Cell

The efficient end environmentally friendly production of electricity is undoubtedly one of the 21st century priorities. Since renewable sources will be able to guarantee only a share of the future demand, the present research activity must focus on innovative energy devices and improved conversion systems and cycles. Great expectations are reserved to fuel cell systems. The direct conversion from chemical to electrical energy eliminates environmental problems connected with combustion and bypass the stringent efficiency limit due to Carnot’s principle. Still in infancy, high-temperature fuel cells present the further advantage of feasible cycle integration with steam or gas turbines. In this paper, a molten carbonate fuel cell plant is simulated in a cycle for power generation. The introduction of an external combustion gas turbine is evaluated with the aim of efficiency and net power output increase. The results show that the proposed cycle can be conveniently used as a source of power generation. As compared to internal combustion gas turbine hybrid cycles found in the literature the plant is characterized by fuel cell greater simplicity, due to the absence of pressurization, and gas turbine increased complexity, due to the presence of the heat exchange system.

Efficiency Upgrading of an Ambient Pressure MCFC Plant Through the Introduction of an Indirect Heated Gas Turbine

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piero Lunghi ◽  
Stefano Ubertini
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell ◽  
Molten Carbonate ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Combustion Gas ◽  
Energy Devices

The efficient end environmentally friendly production of electricity is undoubtedly one of the 21st century priorities. Since renewable sources will be able to guarantee only a share of the future demand, the present research activity must focus on innovative energy devices and improved conversion systems and cycles. Great expectations are reserved to fuel cell systems. The direct conversion from chemical to electrical energy eliminates environmental problems connected with combustion and bypass the stringent efficiency limit due to Carnot’s principle. Still in infancy high temperature Fuel cells present the further advantage of feasible cycle integration with steam or gas turbines. In this paper, a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell plant is simulated in a cycle for power generation. The introduction of an external combustion Gas Turbine is evaluated with the aim of efficiency and net power output increase. The results show that the proposed cycle can be conveniently used as a source of power generation. As compared to internal combustion Gas Turbine hybrid cycles found in literature the plant is characterized by fuel cell greater simplicity, due to the absence of pressurization, and gas turbine increased complexity, due to the presence of the heat exchange system.

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.

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