FIELD TEST OF A 1 kW_e SULZER HEXIS SOFC μ-CHP UNIT WITH SHELL CPO FUEL PROCESSOR AT GASUNIE RESEARCH

摘要

Shell Hydrogen, ECN and Gasunie performed a joint project, integrating a Catalytic-Partial-Oxidation-reactor (CPO) in a 1 kW_e Solid-Oxide-Fuel-Cell (SOFC) based micro-Combined-Heat-and-Power-field-test-unit (μ-CHP) from Sulzer Hexis. This unit's conventional steam reformer (SR) was successfully replaced by a Shell CPO-reformer. SOFC-cell technology was optimised by ECN. Gasunie performed the field trail, with the unit running on Dutch natural gas, in a test-set-up guarantying constant heat demand, parallel with several central heating boilers supplying hot water to the Gasunie Research-facilities in Groningen (NL). Conclusion towards potential system end-user-application is that robustness and thermal efficiency have to be improved. Sulzer Hexis is developing a 'proto-type-system', which will become available in 2001, addressing above issues. Comparing fuel processing efficiencies, SR has higher electrical efficiency, although CPO gives higher total efficiency. Economic feasibility of the Sulzer Hexis SOFC μ-CHP-unit was evaluated, identifying older large houses and villas, as promising niche markets (Investment-room around 12 kNLG).