Solid Oxide Fuel Cells hold the greatest potential of any other fuel cell technology. Using low cost ceramic materials, they can achieve high electrical efficiencies without relying on CHP. Moreover, SOFCs operate at high temperature (typically above 800°C), which allows fuel flexibility. However, there are still significant technical challenges inhibiting the use of this promising new technology. This paper examines the development of enabling technologies of SOFC/μGT Hybrid Systems for power generation. The positive characteristics and the drawbacks of solid oxide fuel cells are being introduced. Such an application includes a series of specifications and restrictions. The requirement of maintaining a 7 bar static pressure at the fuel cell inlet leads to the addition of a centrifugal compressor. This additional device is used as a booster with a desired pressure ratio of 1.5. The investigation of two alternative technical approaches for the driving of the booster is presented: an electrically driven compressor and a booster driven by a turbo-expander. The integration procedure carries on with the design of the cycle and its components. The present work is being concluded after the preliminary design of both the compressor and the expander. Results show a 5.79% higher total power output and a wider range of rotational speed for the turbocharger case. Hence, the radial turbine solution is proven to be the most appropriate one for the compressor driving.
Integrated Design of Centrifugal Compressor and Radial Turbine of a Hybrid μGT/SOFC Power Train Emulator
FERRARI, MARIO LUIGI;MASSARDO, ARISTIDE;MAGISTRI, LOREDANA
2013-01-01
Abstract
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells hold the greatest potential of any other fuel cell technology. Using low cost ceramic materials, they can achieve high electrical efficiencies without relying on CHP. Moreover, SOFCs operate at high temperature (typically above 800°C), which allows fuel flexibility. However, there are still significant technical challenges inhibiting the use of this promising new technology. This paper examines the development of enabling technologies of SOFC/μGT Hybrid Systems for power generation. The positive characteristics and the drawbacks of solid oxide fuel cells are being introduced. Such an application includes a series of specifications and restrictions. The requirement of maintaining a 7 bar static pressure at the fuel cell inlet leads to the addition of a centrifugal compressor. This additional device is used as a booster with a desired pressure ratio of 1.5. The investigation of two alternative technical approaches for the driving of the booster is presented: an electrically driven compressor and a booster driven by a turbo-expander. The integration procedure carries on with the design of the cycle and its components. The present work is being concluded after the preliminary design of both the compressor and the expander. Results show a 5.79% higher total power output and a wider range of rotational speed for the turbocharger case. Hence, the radial turbine solution is proven to be the most appropriate one for the compressor driving.
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