Fuel cell system produces power and steam from coal

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Energy Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9402(1984)110:1(59)· OSTI ID:6602621

Kern, J G; Feldman, S L

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: 6602621
• Journal Information: J. Energy Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Energy Eng.; (United States) Vol. 110:1; ISSN JLEED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200108 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Fuels-- (1980-)
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300504* -- Fuel Cells-- Applications
COAL FUEL CELLS
COAL GASIFICATION PLANTS
COGENERATION
DEUS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUEL CELL POWER PLANTS
FUEL CELLS
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
STEAM GENERATION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
URBAN AREAS
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION