Abstract
A 5 kW class solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) test system is
presented. The purpose of the system is to demonstrate a
small-scale SOFC combined heat and power plant that
includes all main components needed in plant operation.
Main research issues in the operation of the test system
consist of component testing and characterization,
research of the interactions between different components
of the plant and development of automation and control
strategies for SOFC systems.
The system operates at atmospheric pressure using
reformed natural gas as fuel. Alternatively, hydrogen can
be used as fuel as well during characterization or system
stand-by situations. The system is designed for a planar
anode-supported stack that is delivered by
Forschungszentrum Jülich. Natural gas is pre-reformed
using an autothermal reformer (ATR) unit. Air is supplied
to the cathode with a blower. Heat exchangers are used to
heat up the stack inlet fuel and air flows. At the air
side, a heat exchanger exists for low and high
temperature. Unused fuel present in the anode exhaust gas
is utilized using a catalytic afterburner. Hot exhaust
gases from the afterburner are led through a water-cooled
plate heat exchanger. Electric power is transformed using
a grid interconnection device, which converts direct
current produced by the stack to alternating current and
phases it with the distribution grid.
Automation and control of the system is achieved with a
standard industrial programmable logic controller and a
PC-based monitoring station. Automation and control
system monitors various process parameters, e.g.
voltages, temperatures and pressures. The SOFC test
system is controlled according to the electric power
demand. The control system maintains steady-state
operating conditions by adjusting e.g. fuel and air
flows, and the composition of the reformate gas. In
addition to the steady-state controls, there exists a
back-up system for emergency shutdown situations e.g. in
the case of a power outage or fuel supply failure.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 1st European Fuel Cell Technology and Applications Conference, EFC 2005 |
| Subtitle of host publication | book of abstracts |
| Publisher | American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-0-7918-4209-6 |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
| MoE publication type | Not Eligible |
| Event | 1st European Fuel Cell Technology and Applications Conference - Rome, Italy Duration: 14 Dec 2005 → 16 Dec 2005 Conference number: 1 |
Conference
| Conference | 1st European Fuel Cell Technology and Applications Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | EFC |
| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Rome |
| Period | 14/12/05 → 16/12/05 |
Keywords
- SOFC
