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Title: Fuel cell system produces power and steam from coal

Journal Article · · J. Energy Eng.; (United States)

A combination of technologies that could help solve energy supply problems currently facing urban utilities is discussed in this paper. The concept employs a large coal-gasification and gas clean-up plant located outside the city, feeding a dedicated pipeline. Several cogenerating fuel cell power plants dispersed throughout the city and fueled through the pipeline produce electricity and cogenerate steam for local distribution. There are both economic and environmental benefits in this concept. Shifting from oil to coal while using more efficient conversion technologies reduces fuel expenditures. Placing generating capacity close to the load center offers an opportunity to utilize thermal energy that would otherwise be rejected as waste heat. Since this energy can be recovered at low cost, it may be possible for the utilities to operate a competitive district heating system. Unique environmental advantages result from splitting the power plant into two components, making it possible to place the gasifier, which must handle and process coal, outside the urban area. The fuel cell plants located in the city itself burn only clean fuel and produce little pollution.

OSTI ID:
7060139
Journal Information:
J. Energy Eng.; (United States), Vol. 110:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English