Analysis of Operational Strategies of a SOFC/MGT Hybrid Power Plant

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Hohloch ◽  
Andreas Huber ◽  
Manfred Aigner
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Emergency Operation ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Operational Strategies ◽  
Hybrid Power ◽  
Combustion Technology ◽  
Hybrid Power Plant ◽  
Inlet Conditions ◽  
Operational Concept

The present work deals with the analysis of operational concepts for a SOFC/MGT hybrid power plant based on a test rig at the DLR, Institute of Combustion Technology. Here, a Turbec T100 micro gas turbine and a fuel cell emulator are used. The emulator is composed of two pressure vessels. The first represents the cathode volume of the fuel cell to simulate the residence time and pressure loss. The second is equipped with a natural gas combustor to emulate the varying heat input of the fuel cell. The MGT and the SOFC are connected via different piping paths. The procedures start-up, load change and shutdown are analyzed in matters of temperature gradients, pressure gradients and fluctuations, as well as the air mass flow provided at the interconnections to the coupling elements. To achieve the required inlet conditions of the SOFC, transient operations, using the different piping paths, are investigated. Concepts for heating-up and cooling the SOFC using hot air from the recuperator and relatively cold air from the compressor outlet are experimentally tested and characterized. Selected critical situations and their effect on the SOFC are investigated. An emergency operation, its impact on both subsystems and limitations are shown. Further operational limits of the MGT control system and power electronic were observed and analyzed. Based on the experimental results, the applicability of the used MGT procedures in a hybrid power plant was reconsidered. Finally, adaptions and strategies for the operational concept are derived and discussed.

scholarly journals Analysis of Operational Strategies of a SOFC/Micro Gas Turbine Hybrid Power Plant

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Hohloch ◽  
Andreas Huber ◽  
Manfred Aigner
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Emergency Operation ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Micro Gas Turbine ◽  
Hybrid Power ◽  
Hybrid Power Plant ◽  
Inlet Conditions ◽  
Operational Concept

The present work deals with the analysis of operational concepts for a solid oxide fuel cell/micro gas turbine (SOFC/MGT) hybrid power plant based on a test rig at the DLR, Institute of Combustion Technology. Here, a Turbec T100 MGT and a fuel cell emulator are used. The emulator is composed of two pressure vessels. The first represents the cathode volume of the fuel cell to simulate the residence time and pressure loss. The second is equipped with a natural gas combustor to emulate the varying heat input of the fuel cell. The MGT and the SOFC are connected via different piping paths. The procedures start-up, load change, and shutdown are analyzed in matters of temperature gradients, pressure gradients, and fluctuations, as well as the air mass flow provided at the interconnections to the coupling elements. To achieve the required inlet conditions of the SOFC, transient operations, using the different piping paths, are investigated. Concepts for heating up and cooling the SOFC using hot air from the recuperator and relatively cold air from the compressor outlet are experimentally tested and characterized. Selected critical situations and their effect on the SOFC are investigated. An emergency operation and its impact on both subsystems and limitations are shown. Further operational limits of the MGT control system and power electronic were observed and analyzed. Based on the experimental results, the applicability of the used MGT procedures in a hybrid power plant was reconsidered. Finally, adaptions and strategies for the operational concept are derived and discussed.

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 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.

Dynamic Modeling on the Hybrid MCFC-Gas Turbine Bottoming Cycle

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huisheng Zhang ◽  
Shilie Weng ◽  
Ming Su
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Simulation Modeling ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Hybrid Power ◽  
Hybrid Power Plant ◽  
Micro Turbine

The intention of this paper is to present the dynamic models for the MCFC-gas turbine hybrid cycle. This paper analyzes the performance of various components in the hybrid power plant, such as compressor, turbine, recuperator, generator, fuel cell stack etc. The modular simulation models of these components are presented. Based on the dynamic simulation modeling principle, one bottoming hybrid MCFC-Micro turbine cycle was studied to carry out the simulation, the simulation result is reasonable.

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