Preliminary Experimental Results of IGFC Operation Using Hardware Simulation

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
David Tucker ◽  
Comas L. Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Constant Speed ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Delivery Pressure ◽  
Integrated Gasification

A newly developed Integrated Gasification Fuel Cell (IGFC) hybrid system concept has been tested using the Hybrid Performance (Hyper) project hardware-based simulation facility at the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory. The cathode-loop hardware facility, previously connected to the real-time fuel cell model, was expanded by the inclusion of a real-time model of a gasifier of solid fuels, in this case biomass fuel. The fuel cell is operated at the compressor delivery pressure, and it is fuelled by an updraft atmospheric gasifier, through the syngas conditioning train for tar removal and syngas compression. The system was brought to steady-state; then, several perturbations in open loop (variable speed) and closed loop (constant speed) were performed in order to characterize the IGFC behavior. Experiments have shown the feasibility of relatively fast control of the plant as well as a possible mitigation strategy to reduce the thermal stress on the fuel cell as a consequence of load variation and change in gasifier operating conditions. Results also provided an insight into the different features of variable vs constant speed operation of the gas turbine section.

Preliminary Experimental Results of Integrated Gasification Fuel Cell Operation Using Hardware Simulation

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
David Tucker ◽  
Comas L. Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Constant Speed ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Integrated Gasification

A newly developed integrated gasification fuel cell (IGFC) hybrid system concept has been tested using the Hybrid Performance (Hyper) project hardware-based simulation facility at the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory. The cathode-loop hardware facility, previously connected to the real-time fuel cell model, was integrated with a real-time model of a gasifier of solid (biomass and fossil) fuel. The fuel cells are operated at the compressor delivery pressure, and they are fueled by an updraft atmospheric gasifier, through the syngas conditioning train for tar removal and syngas compression. The system was brought to steady state; then several perturbations in open loop (variable speed) and closed loop (constant speed) were performed in order to characterize the IGFC behavior. Coupled experiments and computations have shown the feasibility of relatively fast control of the plant as well as a possible mitigation strategy to reduce the thermal stress on the fuel cells as a consequence of load variation and change in gasifier operating conditions. Results also provided an insight into the different features of variable versus constant speed operation of the gas turbine section.

Accelerated Degradation for Hardware in the Loop Simulation of Fuel Cell-Gas Turbine Hybrid System

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Abreu-Sepulveda ◽  
Nor Farida Harun ◽  
Gregory Hackett ◽  
Anke Hagen ◽  
David Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Mathematical Expression ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Hardware In The Loop ◽  
Voltage Versus ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Hardware System

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Morgantown, WV has developed the hybrid performance (HyPer) project in which a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) one-dimensional (1D), real-time operating model is coupled to a gas turbine hardware system by utilizing hardware-in-the-loop simulation. To assess the long-term stability of the SOFC part of the system, electrochemical degradation due to operating conditions such as current density and fuel utilization have been incorporated into the SOFC model and successfully recreated in real time. The mathematical expression for degradation rate was obtained through the analysis of empirical voltage versus time plots for different current densities and fuel utilizations.

Avoiding Compressor Surge During Emergency Shutdown Hybrid Turbine Systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Pezzini ◽  
David Tucker ◽  
Alberto Traverso
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Dynamic Effect ◽  
Transient Behavior ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Emergency Shutdown ◽  
Compressor Surge

A new emergency shutdown procedure for a direct-fired fuel cell turbine hybrid power system was evaluated using a hardware-based simulation of an integrated gasifier/fuel cell/turbine hybrid cycle (IGFC), implemented through the Hybrid Performance (Hyper) project at the National Energy Technology Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy (NETL). The Hyper facility is designed to explore dynamic operation of hybrid systems and quantitatively characterize such transient behavior. It is possible to model, test, and evaluate the effects of different parameters on the design and operation of a gasifier/fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid system and provide a means of quantifying risk mitigation strategies. An open-loop system analysis regarding the dynamic effect of bleed air, cold air bypass, and load bank is presented in order to evaluate the combination of these three main actuators during emergency shutdown. In the previous Hybrid control system architecture, catastrophic compressor failures were observed when the fuel and load bank were cut off during emergency shutdown strategy. Improvements were achieved using a nonlinear fuel valve ramp down when the load bank was not operating. Experiments in load bank operation show compressor surge and stall after emergency shutdown activation. The difficulties in finding an optimal compressor and cathode mass flow for mitigation of surge and stall using these actuators are illustrated.

Technical and Engineering Decisions That Drive Choices for Predictive Analytics of Plant Data

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Nieman
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Predictive Analytics ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Real Time Systems ◽  
Efficient Technology ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Time Systems

Power generation has the goal of maximizing power output while minimizing operations and maintenance cost. The challenge for plant manager is to move closer to reliability limits while being confident the risks of any decision are understood. To attain their goals and meet this challenge they are coming to realize that they must have frequent, accurate assessment of equipment operating conditions, and a path to continued innovation-. At a typical plant, making this assessment involves the collection and effective analysis of reams of complex, interrelated production system data, including demand requirements, load, ambient temperature, as well as the dependent equipment data. Wind turbine health and performance data is available from periodic and real-time systems. To obtain the timeliest understanding of equipment health for all the key resources in a large plant or fleet, engineers increasingly turn to real-time, model-based solutions. Real-time systems are capable of creating actionable intelligence from large amounts and diverse sources of current data. They can automatically detect problems and provide the basis for diagnosis and prioritization effectively for many problems, and they can make periodic inspection methods much more efficient. Technology exists to facilitate prediction of when assets will fail, allowing engineers to target maintenance costs more effectively. But, it is critical to select the best predictive analytics for your plant. How do you make that choice correctly? Real-time condition monitoring and analysis tools need to be matched to engineering process capability. Tools are employed at the plant in lean, hectic environments; others are deployed from central monitoring centers charged with concentrating scarce resources to efficiently support plants. Applications must be flexible and simple to implement and use. Choices made in selection of new tools can be very important to future success of plant operations. So, these choices require solid understanding of the problems to be solved and the advantages and trade-offs of potential solutions. This choice of the best Predictive Analytic solution will be discussed in terms of key technology elements and key engineering elements.

Numerical stiffness study of multi-physical solid oxide fuel cell model for real-time simulation applications

2018 ◽  
Vol 226 ◽  
pp. 570-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Ma ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
Elena Breaz ◽  
Pascal Briois ◽  
Fei Gao
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Oxide Fuel ◽  
Real Time Simulation ◽  
Time Simulation

scholarly journals Open-Source Dynamic Matlab/Simulink 1D Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Model

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 3478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne L. Lazar ◽  
Swantje C. Konradt ◽  
Hermann Rottengruber
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cell Parameters ◽  
Real Time Analysis ◽  
Exchange Membrane

This work presents an open-source, dynamic, 1D, proton exchange membrane fuel cell model suitable for real-time applications. It estimates the cell voltage based on activation, ohmic and concentration overpotentials and considers water transport through the membrane by means of osmosis, diffusion and hydraulic permeation. Simplified equations reduce the computational load to make it viable for real-time analysis, quick parameter studies and usage in complex systems like complete vehicle models. Two modes of operation for use with or without reference polarization curves allow for a flexible application even without information about cell parameters. The program code is written in MATLAB and provided under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). It is designed to be used inside of a Simulink model, which allows this fuel cell model to be used in a wide variety of 1D simulation platforms by exporting the code as C/C++.

PEM Fuel Cell Research Direction for Automotive Application

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Fagley ◽  
Jason Conley ◽  
David Masten
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Limiting Current ◽  
Automotive Application ◽  
Commercial Application ◽  
Related Research

In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell-related research conducted and subsequently published by universities and public institutions. While a good deal of this research has been useful for understanding the underlying fundamental aspects of fuel cell components and operation, much of it is not as useful for a group working on automotive applications as it could be. The reason for this is that in order to be put to practical use in an automotive application, the system being studied must meet certain constraints; satisfying targets for projected system costs, system efficiency, volumetric and gravimetric power densities (packaging), and operating conditions. For example, numerous recent publications show studies with PEM fuel cells designed and built such that limiting current density is achieved at 0.9 A/cm2 or lower, and voltages of 600 mV can only be achieved at current densities less than 0.6 A/cm2. This type of performance is sufficiently below what is required for commercial application, that any conclusions drawn from these works are difficult to extrapolate to a system of commercial automotive interest. The purpose of this article is to show, through use of engineering calculations and cost projections, what operating conditions and performance are required in a commercial automotive fuel cell application. In addition, best known (public domain) performance and corresponding conditions are given, along with Department of Energy Freedom Car targets, which can be used for state-of-the-art benchmarking. Also, reference is made to a university publication where performance (500 mV at 1.5 A/cm2) close to automotive application targets was achieved, and important aspects of their components and flow field geometry are highlighted. It is our hope that through this publication, further PEM fuel-cell related research can be directed toward the region of greatest interest for commercial, automotive application.

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.

Impact of Different Volume Sizes on Dynamic Stability of a Gas Turbine Fuel Cell Hybrid System

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Abrassi ◽  
Alberto Traverso ◽  
David Tucker ◽  
Eric Liese
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Performance Pressure ◽  
Lumped Parameter ◽  
Turbine Shaft ◽  
And Performance

Abstract A dynamic model is developed for a Micro Gas Turbine (MGT), characterized by an intrinsic free-spool configuration, coupled to large volumes. This is inspired by an experimental facility at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) called Hyper, which emulates a hybrid MGT and Fuel Cell system. The experiment and model can simulate stable and unstable operating conditions. The model is used to investigate the effects of different volumes on surge events, and to test possible strategies to safely avoid or recover from unstable compressor working conditions. The modelling approach started from the Greitzer lumped parameter approach, and it has been improved with integration of empirical methods and simulated components to better match the real Hyper plant layout and performance. Pressure, flow rate, and frequency plots are shown for the surge behavior comparing two different volume sizes, for cases where gas turbine shaft speed is uncontrolled (open loop) and controlled (closed loop). The ability to recover from a surge event is also demonstrated.

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