Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs) for Department of Defense Applications, Rock Island Arsenal MCFC

摘要

In this study, the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) evaluated the feasibility of siting a 1 MW molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) at the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA), Rock Island, IL. The study was conducted in three phases. Phase I surveyed four potential sites. Phase II gave a more detailed description of fuel cell siting characteristics, interface requirements, and preliminary design details. Phase II also analyzed and defined load management benefits resulting from application of the fuel cell, interactions with installed ground source heat pumps, and electrical and thermal energy conservation opportunities at RIA. Phase III provided a more detailed analysis of fuel cell benefits to RIA using the site specifics developed for the proposed MCFC site near the Central Heating Plant. Modeling conducted in the Phase III study indicates with a high degree of certainty that the proposed MCFC power plant installation at RIA has the potential to generate significant cost savings and environmental benefits. The potential savings is higher if the Central Heating Plant is retired. Fuel cell cost benefits will increase if natural gas prices fall.