Transient Model Development and Validation for a Hybrid System Emulator Rig

The aim of this work is the development of a new simulation tool for a hybrid system emulator facility built by Thermochemical Power Group (TPG) at the University of Genoa, Italy. This work was based on a collaboration between the University of Manchester, UK and the University of Genoa, Italy. The experimental facility is composed of a Turbec T100 micro gas turbine package modified for the fuel cell emulator connection, a set of pipes designed for by-pass, measurement or bleed reasons, and a high temperature volume designed for the stack dimension physical emulation. In this project, a real-time transient simulation tool of this rig was developed within Matlab-Simulink environment on component-oriented basis. With this modelling approach, the tool is flexible and user-friendly for different plant operational modes. The component models of the compressor and turbine, combustor, recuperator, generator, shaft and pipes were integrated with a plenum model for capturing the transient performance of the hybrid system emulator rig. This transient model was validated based on the results from the experimental data from the laboratory by TPG. The calculated results were satisfactory in comparison with experimental data at both steady-state and transient conditions. Moreover, the model also contributed to a clearer understanding of performance prediction for the entire plant. A further validation activity of the machine control system was carried out, obtaining a good agreement for the rotational speed between the calculated results and the experimental data. Future calculations will be carried out with this model to study machine coupling for pressure increase (e.g. a booster system) as requested for fuel cell performance increase.