ZTEK`s ultra-high efficiency fuel cell/gas turbine system for distributed generation

Technical Report · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/460195· OSTI ID:460195

Hsu, M.; Nathanson, D. ^[1]; Bradshaw, D. T. ^[2]

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1. Ztek Corp., Waltham, MA (United States)
2. Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga, TN (United States); and others

Ztek`s Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system has exceptional potential for utility electric power generation because of: simplicity of components construction, capability for low cost manufacturing, efficient recovery of very high quality by-product heat (up to 1000{degrees}C), and system integration simplicity. Utility applications of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell are varied and include distributed generation units (sub-MW to 30MW capacity), repowering existing power plants (i.e. 30MW to 100MW), and multi-megawatt central power plants. A TVA/EPRI collaboration program involved functional testing of the advanced solid oxide fuel cell stacks and design scale-up for distributed power generation applications. The emphasis is on the engineering design of the utility modules which will be the building blocks for up to megawatt scale power plants. The program has two distinctive subprograms: Verification test on a 1 kW stack and 25kW module for utility demonstration. A 1 kW Planar SOFC stack was successfully operated for 15,000 hours as of December, 1995. Ztek began work on a 25kW SOFC Power System for TVA, which plans to install the 25kW SOFC at a host site for demonstration in 1997. The 25kW module is Ztek`s intended building block for the commercial use of the Planar SOFC. Systems of up to megawatt capacity can be obtained by packaging the modules in 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional arrays.

• Research Organization: Fuel Cell Seminar Organizing Committee (United States)
• OSTI ID: 460195
• Report Number(s): CONF-961107--Absts.; ON: TI97001494
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
COST
EFFICIENCY
FUEL CELL POWER PLANTS
GAS TURBINES
HYBRID SYSTEMS
METHANE
STACKS