scholarly journals Improvements of Micro-CHP SOFC System Operation by Efficient Dynamic Simulation Methods

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1113
Author(s):  
Laura Nousch ◽  
Mathias Hartmann ◽  
Alexander Michaelis
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
System Modeling ◽  
Power Input ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
System Operation ◽  
Modeling Tools ◽  
Decentralized Generation ◽  
Partial Load ◽  
Battery Capacity

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology is of high interest for stationary decentralized generation of electricity and heat in combined heat and power systems (CHP) for the residential sector. Application scenarios for SOFC systems in an electricity-regulated mode play an important role, especially in places where an electrical grid connection is not available or rather unstable. The advantages of SOFC systems are the high fuel flexibility and the high efficiencies also under partial load operation compared to other decentralized power generation technologies. Due to the long, energy-consuming system heat-up and the limited partial load capability, SOFC systems do not reach the performance of conventional power generation technologies. Furthermore, stack thermal cycling is associated with power degradation and should be minimized. In this paper, the improvement of these drawbacks are investigated for hotbox-based SOFC systems in the 1 kWel-class for residential applications. Since experimental investigations of the high-temperature systems are limited, modeling tools are established, enabling the visualization of internal system characteristics and providing the opportunity to simulate system operation in critical regions. To achieve this, a methodology for dynamic SOFC system modeling in a process engineering manner is developed based on the modeling language Modelica. A suitable approach is particularly important for modeling and simulation of the strong thermal interaction between the hot system components within the hotbox. The parametrized and validated models are used for the investigation of different dynamic effects, such as the system heat-up and the operation in low partial load points. A second reduced thermal system model aims for annual simulations of the SOFC system together with a battery to investigate the number of thermal cycles and the advantage of a hot standby operation. As a result, it is found that an adequate control of the power input at the start-up device and the cathode air flow has a high improvement potential to increase the stack heating rate and accelerate the heat-up in an energy-saving way. The hotbox-internal thermal management is identified as a crucial issue to reach low partial load points. To avoid the risk of stack cooling, lower heat losses and/or additional heat sources are of importance. Furthermore, the robustness of the tail gas oxidizer is found to be crucial for a higher load flexibility during partial load and the end of life stack operation. The annual simulation results indicate that operating the battery hybrid system with a hot standby mode requires much lower battery capacity for a high grid independence and a complete avoidance of system shutdown and associated power degradation.

Modeling a Stirling Engine for Cogeneration Applications

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Ferreira ◽  
Senhorinha Teixeira ◽  
José C. Teixeira ◽  
Manuel L. Nunes ◽  
Luís B. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Market Competition ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
Total Efficiency ◽  
Partial Load ◽  
Stirling Engines

The interest on decentralized power generation technology has been drastically increasing over the last few years. This great interest is due to the necessity of achieving new ways for improving energy efficiency, the national security of energy supply and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Combined heat and power generation (CHP) systems can be a good option to achieve those goals. In Europe and for the building sector, this fact can be translated in the development of low power systems (micro-CHP), designed to fulfill building equivalent loads. These systems will replace the usual boilers that satisfy the dwelling’s heat requirements and, additionally, generate electricity for own consumption or export back to the electricity grid. The most cited technologies in small and micro-scale are Fuel Cells, Internal Combustion Engines, and Stirling Engines. Stirling Engines are gaining some attention due to their advantages: high total efficiency, fuel flexibility, low emissions, low noise/vibration levels and good performance at partial load. Due to these characteristics, Stirling engines seem to be a good alternative for residential energy conversion, and thus, a pathway for more energy-efficient systems that rise to the challenges of increasing market competition. Many studies have been conducted in order to assess Stirling Engines performance, but the integration of technical and economic evaluation for micro-CHP systems applications is an issue that is not focused in literature, and is the final objective of this project.

scholarly journals Architectural and functional classification of smart grid solutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Friederike Wenderoth ◽  
Elisabeth Drayer ◽  
Robert Schmoll ◽  
Michael Niedermeier ◽  
Martin Braun
Keyword(s):  
Smart Grid ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Power System ◽  
Power Distribution ◽  
Hierarchical Architecture ◽  
Distribution Grid ◽  
Active System ◽  
System Operation ◽  
Power System Operation

Abstract Historically, the power distribution grid was a passive system with limited control capabilities. Due to its increasing digitalization, this paradigm has shifted: the passive architecture of the power system itself, which includes cables, lines, and transformers, is extended by a communication infrastructure to become an active distribution grid. This transformation to an active system results from control capabilities that combine the communication and the physical components of the grid. It aims at optimizing, securing, enhancing, or facilitating the power system operation. The combination of power system, communication, and control capabilities is also referred to as a “smart grid”. A multitude of different architectures exist to realize such integrated systems. They are often labeled with descriptive terms such as “distributed,” “decentralized,” “local,” or “central." However, the actual meaning of these terms varies considerably within the research community.This paper illustrates the conflicting uses of prominent classification terms for the description of smart grid architectures. One source of this inconsistency is that the development of such interconnected systems is not only in the hands of classic power engineering but requires input from neighboring research disciplines such as control theory and automation, information and telecommunication technology, and electronics. This impedes a clear classification of smart grid solutions. Furthermore, this paper proposes a set of well-defined operation architectures specialized for use in power systems. Based on these architectures, this paper defines clear classifiers for the assessment of smart grid solutions. This allows the structural classification and comparison between different smart grid solutions and promotes a mutual understanding between the research disciplines. This paper presents revised parts of Chapters 4.2 and 5.2 of the dissertation of Drayer (Resilient Operation of Distribution Grids with Distributed-Hierarchical Architecture. Energy Management and Power System Operation, vol. 6, 2018).

Three Spool High Efficiency Small Scale Gas Turbine Concept

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Malkamäki ◽  
Ahti Jaatinen-Värri ◽  
Antti Uusitalo ◽  
Aki Grönman ◽  
Juha Honkatukia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Electrical Efficiency ◽  
Partial Load ◽  
Reciprocating Engines

Decentralized electricity and heat production is a rising trend in small-scale industry. There is a tendency towards more distributed power generation. The decentralized power generation is also pushed forward by the policymakers. Reciprocating engines and gas turbines have an essential role in the global decentralized energy markets and improvements in their electrical efficiency have a substantial impact from the environmental and economic viewpoints. This paper introduces an intercooled and recuperated three stage, three-shaft gas turbine concept in 850 kW electric output range. The gas turbine is optimized for a realistic combination of the turbomachinery efficiencies, the turbine inlet temperature, the compressor specific speeds, the recuperation rate and the pressure ratio. The new gas turbine design is a natural development of the earlier two-spool gas turbine construction and it competes with the efficiencies achieved both with similar size reciprocating engines and large industrial gas turbines used in heat and power generation all over the world and manufactured in large production series. This paper presents a small-scale gas turbine process, which has a simulated electrical efficiency of 48% as well as thermal efficiency of 51% and can compete with reciprocating engines in terms of electrical efficiency at nominal and partial load conditions.

A Modified Master Cycle Off-Design Performance and Heat Rate Improvement Optimization

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenghao Fan ◽  
Dongsheng Pei ◽  
Xiang He ◽  
Wentai Zhou ◽  
Zengtao Wei
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Thermodynamic Simulation ◽  
Heat Rate ◽  
Feed Water ◽  
Partial Load ◽  
Current Cycle ◽  
Rate Improvement ◽  
Pressure Extraction ◽  
Rate Optimization ◽  
Future Work

Coal-fired power generation will continue to be the cornerstone of China’s energy sources in the coming decades and advanced ultra-supercritical technology is the future of coal-fired power generation. This paper selects double reheat cycle design for study and incorporates back pressure extraction steam turbine (BEST) into current cycle design, which used to drive boiler feed water pump and feed regenerative heaters. This design prevailed in US in 1960s and gradually was replaced by condensing turbine due to less efficiency benefits at subcritical steam condition. Reinvention of BEST design in current double reheat cycle is an evitable choice, because the efficiency advantage is improved at USC steam condition. BEST configuration incorporated into current double reheat cycle and advanced cycle is developed to compare with other two conventional systems in this study. Thermodynamic simulation at design and off-design condition shows that BEST configuration has an obvious efficiency advantage at design load, but the advantage decreases at partial load. BEST expansion line and reheat pressure is integrated in cycle heat rate optimization. Genetic algorithm is chosen to implement the optimization and exergy analysis method is utilized to evaluate BEST expansion line optimization results. Finally, BEST design limitation and future work is practically concluded.

Development of a Thermal Fatigue Screening and Evaluation Methodology for Pressurized Water Reactor Plants

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Keller ◽  
A. J. Bilanin ◽  
S. T. Rosinski
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Cycling ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Fatigue Cracking ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Pressurized Water Reactor ◽  
Primary Coolant ◽  
Modeling Tools ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Water Reactor

Thermal cycling has been identified as a mechanism that can potentially lead to fatigue cracking in un-isolable branch lines attached to pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary coolant piping. A significant research and development program has been undertaken to understand the mechanisms causing thermal cycling and to develop models for predicting the thermal-hydraulic boundary conditions for use in piping structural and fatigue analysis. A combination of first-principles engineering modeling and scaled experimental investigations has been used to formulate improved thermal cycling modeling tools. This paper will provide an overview of the model development program, a summary of the supporting test program, and a description of the thermal cycling model structure. Benchmarking of the thermal cycling model against several PWR plant configurations is presented, demonstrating favorable comparison with cases where thermal stratification and cycling has been previously observed.

scholarly journals Hot Gas Filters for Coal and Biomass Power Systems

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Newby ◽  
T. E. Lippert ◽  
M. A. Alvin ◽  
G. J. Bruck ◽  
Z. N. Sanjana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Environmental Constraints ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Key Technology ◽  
Hot Gas ◽  
Filter Test ◽  
Power Generation Systems

Several advanced, coal- and biomass-based combustion turbine power generation technologies are currently under development and demonstration. A key technology component in these power generation systems is the hot gas filter. These power generation technologies must utilize highly reliable and efficient hot gas filter systems to protect the turbine and to meet environmental constraints if their full thermal efficiency and cost potential is to be realized. Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation (SWPC) has developed a hot gas filter system to near-commercial status for large-scale power generation applications. This paper reviews recent progress made by SWPC in hot gas filter test development programs and in major demonstration programs. Two advanced hot gas filter concepts, the “Inverted Candle” and the “Sheet Filter”, having the potential for superior reliability are also described.

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