DESIGN AND TEST OF COMPONENTS FOR DIRECT FUELCELL~(~R)/TURBINE HYBRID SYSTEM

摘要

FuelCell Energy Inc. (FCE) has been engaged in the development of ultra high efficiency Direct FuelCell~(~R)(DFC~(R))/Turbine hybrid power plants under a Vision 21 Cooperative Agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE). The objectives of this project are to develop the design of a natural gas fueled 40 MW hybrid power plant with an efficiency of 75% LHV or greater and low emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides (<0.01 Ibs/MMBTU of SOx and NOx). FCE's hybrid DFC~(~R)/Turbine power system is based on an innovative power cycle utilizing an indirectly heated gas turbine to supplement fuel cell generated power. The attractive features of DFC~(~R)/Turbine hybrid system include: simplicity in design, direct reforming internal to the fuel cell, independent operating pressure of the fuel cell and turbine, and commercial cost competitiveness with existing combined cycles. FCE's Vision 21 project work plan is currently focused on retrofitting the power plant test facility at the FCE Danbury, CT site to accommodate the integration of a 250 kW DFC~(~R) stack with a Capstone MicroTurbine~(TM). The work plan also includes the testing of critical components for this DFC~(~R)/Turbine hybrid power plant. These critical component test activities are centered on the newly incorporated heat recuperators and a specially designed anode tail gas oxidizer. The design and implementation of these components are included in the modification of the power plant facility. The synergistics of concurrently operating a fuel cell stack and a microturbine are under investigation. Efforts are also under way to study the Vision 21 DFC~(~R)/Turbine hybrid plant potential for load following, increased reliability, and enhanced operability. The results from the sub-scale hybrid tests along with any experience gained in operating the fuel cell and microturbine will be utilized in the development of larger (MW scale) DFC~(~R)/Turbine hybrid power plants.