Eric Liese

Development of Dynamic Modeling Tools for Solid Oxide and Molten Carbonate Hybrid Fuel Cell Gas Turbine Systems

This paper describes some generic solid oxide and molten carbonate hybrid fuel cell gas turbine systems and dynamic modeling tools that are being developed to simulate the performance of these and other hybrid fuel cell systems. The generic hybrid systems are presented to introduce issues and technical development challenges that hybrid fuel cell gas turbine systems must address and to provide a platform for the development of the dynamic modeling tools. The present goals are to develop dynamic models for the basic components of solid oxide and molten carbonate fuel cell gas turbine hybrids, ensure their reliability, and obtain a basic understanding of their performance prior to integration into a complete hybrid system model. Preliminary results for molten carbonate and solid oxide fuel cell types are presented. These results provide understanding of some of the operational characteristics of fuel cells, and indicate the complexity of the dynamic response of fuel cell hybrid components. For the fuel cell models, generic planar designs are analyzed showing voltage and current behavior following step changes in load resistance and steady state performance curves. The results provide confidence in each of the model’s reliability, enabling them to be integrated for hybrid system simulation. Results from the integrated simulations will provide guidance on future hybrid technology development needs.Copyright

Performance Comparison of Internal Reforming Against External Reforming in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Gas Turbine Hybrid System

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) developers are presently considering both internal and external reforming fuel cell designs. Generally, the endothermic reforming reaction and excess air through the cathode provide the cooling needed to remove waste heat from the fuel cell. Current information suggests that external reforming fuel cells will require a flow rate twice the amount necessary for internal reforming fuel cells. The increased airflow could negatively impact system performance. This paper compares the performance among various external reforming hybrid configurations and an internal reforming hybrid configuration. A system configuration that uses the reformer to cool a cathode recycle stream is introduced, and a system that uses interstage external reforming is proposed. Results show that the thermodynamic performance of these proposed concepts are an improvement over a base-concept external approach, and can be better than an internal reforming hybrid system, depending on the fuel cell cooling requirements.

Transient Modeling of the NETL Hybrid Fuel Cell/Gas Turbine Facility and Experimental Validation

This paper describes the experimental validation of two different transient models of the hybrid fuel cell/gas turbine facility of the U.S. DOE-NETL at Morgantown. The first part of this work is devoted to the description of the facility, designed to experimentally investigate these plants with real components, except the fuel cell. The behavior of the SOFC is obtained with apt volumes (for the stack and the off-gas burner) and using a combustor to generate similar thermal effects. The second part of this paper shows the facility real-time transient model developed at the U.S. DOE-NETL and the detailed transient modeling activity using the TRANSEO program developed at TPG. The results obtained with both models are successfully compared with the experimental data of two different load step decreases. The more detailed model agrees more closely with the experimental data, which, of course, is more time consuming than the real-time model (the detailed model operates with a calculation over calculated time ratio around 6). Finally, the TPG model has been used to discuss the importance of performance map precision for both compressor and turbine. This is an important analysis to better understand the steady-state difference between the two models.

TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND DYNAMIC MODELING OF GAS TURBINE AND FUEL CELL HYBRID SYSTEMS

This paper describes safety issues important to the operation of combined fuel cell and gas turbine (hybrid) systems, and provides motivation for building dynamic modeling tools to support their development. It also describes two models — a steam reformer and a fuel cell — that will be used to investigate the dynamic performance of a hybrid system. The present goals are to develop dynamic models for these two components, ensure their reliability, and obtain a basic understanding of their performance prior to integration into a complete hybrid system model. Because of the large physical domain to be analyzed in the integrated hybrid system, both reformer and fuel cell models are simplified to a one-dimensional system of equations. Model results are presented for a tubular, counterflow steam reformer showing methane conversion and temperature behavior during initial startup, and following several step change perturbations. For the fuel cell model, a generic planar type is analyzed showing voltage and current behavior following step changes in load resistance and fuel input. The results provide confidence in each model’s reliability, enabling them to be integrated for hybrid system simulation. Results from the integrated simulations will provide guidance on future hybrid technology development needs.Copyright

Development of controls for dynamic operation of carbonate fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid systems

Hybrid fuel cell/gas turbine (FC/GT) systems have been shown through experiment and simulation to be highly efficient technologies with low emissions. Maintaining efficient, low emission, and safe operation, whether during disturbances or regular operational transients, is a challenge to both understand and address. Some likely disturbances can arise from changes in ambient temperature, fuel flow variations induced by supply pressure disturbances, fuel composition variability, and power demand fluctuations. To gain insight into the dynamic operation of such cycles and address operating challenges, dynamic modeling tools have been developed at two different laboratories. In this paper these models are used to simulate the dynamic operation of an integrated MCFC/GT hybrid system and to subsequently develop and test control strategies for the hybrid power plant. Two control strategies are developed and tested for their ability to control the system during various perturbations. Predicted fuel cell operating temperature, fuel utilization, fuel cell and GT power, shaft speed, compressor mass flow and temperatures throughout the FC/GT system are presented for the controlled response to a fuel cell voltage increase in order to show the effect of a load decrease.Copyright

Fuel Cell Gas Turbine Hybrid Simulation Facility Design

Fuel cell hybrid power systems have potential for the highest electrical power generation efficiency. Fuel cell gas turbine hybrid systems are currently under development as the first step in commercializing this technology. The dynamic interdependencies resulting from the integration of these two power generation technologies is not well understood. Unexpected complications can arise in the operation of an integrated system, especially during startup and transient events. Fuel cell gas turbine systems designed to operate under steady state conditions have limitations in studying the dynamics of a transient event without risk to the more fragile components of the system. A 250kW experimental fuel cell gas turbine system test facility has been designed at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), U.S. Department of Energy to examine the effects of transient events on the dynamics of these systems. The test facility will be used to evaluate control strategies for improving system response to transient events and load following. A fuel cell simulator, consisting of a natural gas burner controlled by a real time fuel cell model, will be integrated into the system in place of a real solid oxide fuel cell. The use of a fuel cell simulator in the initial phases allows for the exploration of transient events without risk of destroying an actual fuel cell. Fuel cell models and hybrid system models developed at NETL have played an important role in guiding the design of facility equipment and experimental research planning. Results of certain case studies using these models are discussed. Test scenarios were analyzed for potential thermal and mechanical impact on fuel cell, heat exchanger and gas turbine components. Temperature and pressure drop calculations were performed to determine the maximum impact on system components and design. Required turbine modifications were designed and tested for functionality. The resulting facility design will allow for examination of startup, shut down, loss of load to the fuel cell during steady state operations, loss of load to the turbine during steady state operations and load following.Copyright

A Dynamic Bulk SOFC Model Used in a Hybrid Turbine Controls Test Facility

The paper will describe the dynamic model of a pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The model is required to run on a digital controller in real-time so that its predicted thermal output may be used to control the fuel valve of an experimental hybrid system that is being used to investigate control methods for fuel cell / gas turbine hybrid systems. The model presented is a bulk model in order to best guarantee real-time operation. The equations and parameters used in the model are presented. The effects of pressure are partially considered and a V-I and P-I curve are plotted in order to show the general fuel cell model behavior. Also presented are dynamic comparisons to a 1-D model. The integration of the model with the experimental system is shown as well.Copyright

A Transient Model of a Hybrid Fuel Cell/Gas Turbine Test Facility Using Simulink

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL, U.S., D.O.E.) in Morgantown, West Virginia has successfully designed and is operating a fuel cell/turbine hybrid test facility. With the successful operation of this test facility, it is now possible to model, test and evaluate the effect of pressure and temperature transients important to the design and operation of a fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid system and provide a means of quantifying mitigation methods to address adverse impacts of such transients to the operation, safety and efficiency of these systems. This paper deals exclusively with the Simulink, lumped parameter model and its relationship to controls development. Presented in detail are the development, structure and methodology of this Simulink process model as related to the Hybrid Performance (Hyper) test facility in use at NETL. Thus far the model simulates only the test facility, which presently does not have a fuel cell, but a large plenum is used to represent the cathode air volume. Future work will insert fuel cell models developed by NETL. Components of the model are presented and described in detail. Two case studies are presented based on the effect of load shed transients on system performance. These case studies are 1.) Speed controlled load shedding, 2.) Speed set point changing.Copyright

Performance Comparison of Internal Reforming Against External Reforming in a SOFC, Gas Turbine Hybrid System

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) manufacturers are presently considering both internal and external reforming fuel cell designs. Generally, the endothermic reforming reaction and excess air through the cathode provide the cooling needed to remove waste heat from the fuel cell. Current information suggests that external reforming fuel cells will require a flow rate twice the amount necessary for internal reforming fuel cells. The increased airflow could negatively impact system performance. This paper compares the performance among various external reforming hybrid configurations and an internal reforming hybrid configuration. A system configuration is introduced that uses interstage external reforming. Results show that that the thermodynamic performance of an interstage reforming system is an improvement over a base-concept external approach, and may be slightly better than the hybrid with an internal reforming fuel cell.© 2003 ASME

Inter-Laboratory Dynamic Modeling of a Carbonate Fuel Cell for Hybrid Application

A detailed comparison of dynamic models developed for carbonate fuel cells used in hybrid fuel cell gas turbine systems is presented. The two models are nearly similar in that both treat the bulk behavior of the system (e.g., through lumped or one-dimensional solutions of the fundamental equations. However, both models are implemented independently by different research groups using disparate simulation software programs. As a test case for the comparison, a generic molten carbonate hybrid fuel cell gas turbine system is identified. Such comparison-work benefits all parties by ensuring sub-model reliability prior to integration into a complete hybrid system model. Detailed results for the carbonate fuel cell models are presented. For a generic planar design, voltage and current behavior are shown following step changes in load resistance and fuel flow. The time scales for thermal dynamic response are much greater than those required for the initial electrochemical dynamic response as is expected. These results provide understanding of some of the operational characteristics of fuel cells and indicate the complexity of the dynamic response of fuel cell hybrid components. The results from the two models are not identical, but compare sufficiently well to provide confidence in each of the model’s reliability, enabling them to be integrated for hybrid system simulation. Results from the integrated simulations will provide guidance on future hybrid technology development needs.Copyright