Configuration and performance of fuel cell-combined cycle options
The natural gas, indirect-fired, carbonate fuel-cell-bottomed, combined cycle (NG-IFCFC) and the topping natural-gas/solid-oxide fuel-cell combined cycle (NG-SOFCCC) are introduced as novel power-plant systems for the distributed power and on-site markets in the 20-200 mega-watt (MW) size range. The novel NG-IFCFC power-plant system configures the ambient pressure molten-carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) with a gas turbine, air compressor, combustor, and ceramic heat exchanger: The topping solid-oxide fuel-cell (SOFC) combined cycle is not new. The purpose of combining a gas turbine with a fuel cell was to inject pressurized air into a high-pressure fuel cell and to reduce the size, and thereby, to reduce the cost of the fuel cell. Today, the SOFC remains pressurized, but excess chemical energy is combusted and the thermal energy is utilized by the Carnot cycle heat engine to complete the system. ASPEN performance results indicate efficiencies and heat rates for the NG-IFCFC or NG-SOFCCC are better than conventional fuel cell or gas turbine steam-bottomed cycles, but with smaller and less expensive components. Fuel cell and gas turbine systems should not be viewed as competitors, but as an opportunity to expand to markets where neither gas turbines nor fuel cells alone would be commercially viable. Non-attainment areas are the most likely markets.
- Research Organization:
- Department of Energy, Morgantown, WV (United States). Morgantown Energy Technology Center
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 181513
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/METC/C-96/7217; CONF-9510272-1; ON: DE96004755; NC: NONE; TRN: 96:001176
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Workshop on very high efficiency fuel cell/advanced turbine power cycles, Morgantown, WV (United States), 19 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Engineering a 70-percent efficient, indirect-fired fuel-cell bottomed turbine cycle
Engineering a 70-percent efficient, indirect-fired fuel-cell bottomed turbine cycle