Title:
|
10kW demonstration of pilot stack technolgy for direct internal reformingmolten carbonate fuel cell (DIR-MCFC) power plants: final report June '93
to December '95
|
|
Author(s):
|
Reijers, H.T.J.; Machielse, L.A.H.; Dekker, N.J.J.; Goris, M.J.A.A.; Dicks, A.L.; Fellows, R.G.; Clarke, S.H.; Dhanjal, T.; Freni, S.; Passalacqua, E.; Maggio, G.; Barone, F.; Minutoli, M.; Patti, A.; Ravida, D.
|
|
Published by:
|
Publication date:
|
ECN
|
1996
|
|
ECN report number:
|
Document type:
|
ECN-C--96-023
|
ECN publication
|
|
Number of pages:
|
Full text:
|
40
|
Download PDF
|
Abstract:
The objective of the title project was to develop the technology forDIR-MCFC for efficient energy production and to demonstrate this technology
in a sub-scale stack of 10 kW nominal output power. A set of 4 independent
variables was introduced to describe the DIR-MCFC system. Operating ranges
were defined in terms of these variables, satisfying interface conditions
between stack and balance of plants (BOP) regarding the H2 concentrations at
the anode side, and the CO2 and O2 concentrations at the cathode side. A
configuration for a 250 kW DIR-MCFC system was selected based on simplicity
and efficiency (48% Lower Heating Value or LHV). A cost estimate of this
system was also made. Catalyst research showed that even at large alkali
uptake (up to 9 wt%), the BG catalyst is still sufficiently active for
steam-reforming in an MCFC environment. The alkali shield work has made clear
that alkali shields are not feasible in MCFC stacks due to the large
calculated performance loss (12%). However, they proved to slow down the
carbonate transport towards the catalyst. A 3D model for a DIR-MCFC stack was
developed, which takes into account the cell reactions, the flow distribution
to and from the cells, the horizontal and vertical heat transport, heat
exchange between cell hardware and manifold system and heat losses to the
surroundings. Compared to ER-MCFC stacks, DIR-MCFC stacks give large
temperature variations in both the planar and stacking directions, thus
reducing the achievable stack height and the design temperature difference
between outlet and inlet gases. Small-scale (100 cm2) experiments have been
performed under a variety of test conditions, in order to obtain information
on the interface conditions and to test the cell performance at system
conditions. Three-cell stack experiments have been performed on 0.1 m2 cells
to test the initial (1st test) and long-term (2nd and 3rd test) behaviour of
the DIR separator plate concept. Though high electrical power output (>100
mW/cm2) was demonstrated, the sealing properties of this concept have to he
further improved. 4 figs., 4 tabs., 46 refs.
Back to List