Application of the Alsthom/Exxon alkaline fuel cell system to utility power generation. Final report. [Hydrogen production by catalytic steam reforming of methanol or naphtha]

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7113284· OSTI ID:7113284

Elzinga, E. R.; Bannochie, J. G.; Bellows, R. J.; Correa, J. H.; Horowitz, H. H.; Snyder, C. W.

Exxon Enterprises, Inc., at the request of EPRI, has completed an evaluation of Alsthom/Exxon alkaline fuel cell technology for application to utility power generation. The purpose of this study was to determine how close the technology could come to EPRI efficiency, investment, and related targets and to begin to define those limitations which must still be overcome. The program consisted primarily of a systems analysis to explore the effect of major variables such as fuel cell operating temperature, fuel type and degree of carbon oxides preremoval on efficiency and cost. Most of the effort centered around minimizing cost and heat rate by selecting the most appropriate process techniques and by heat integrating the various parts of the process. Two routes were found for meeting the EPRI heat rate targets, 7100 Btu/kWh with methanol and 7500 Btu/kWh with naphtha as starting fuel. The simplest route involved reforming followed by Pressure Swing Absorption yielding a nearly pure hydrogen feed to the fuel cell. Alternatively, carbonate scrubbing could be used but required an increased fuel cell temperature of 393/sup 0/K so that waste heat could be used for carbonate regeneration. The major uncertainty was in the assumed fuel cell performance which while taken from the literature for alkaline fuel cells has not yet been achieved with Alsthom/Exxon components. Investments for a 400 MW plant were between 20 and 30 percent higher than the target of $200/kW in 1974 dollars. Since the estimates contain no allowance for contingencies it would be unrealistic to project lower costs.

• Research Organization: Exxon Enterprises, Inc., New York (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7113284
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EM-384
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
08 HYDROGEN
FUEL CELL POWER PLANTS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
REFORMER PROCESSES
ALCOHOL FUEL CELLS
CARBON DIOXIDE
COOLING SYSTEMS
COST
DESULFURIZATION
DIMENSIONS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROLYTES
METHANOL
NAPHTHA
OPTIMIZATION
REMOVAL
WASTE HEAT
WEIGHT
ALCOHOLS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL TAR OILS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DISTILLATES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL CELLS
FUELS
HEAT
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
PETROLEUM FRACTIONS
POWER PLANTS
WASTES
300501* - Fuel Cells- Design & Development
080103 - Hydrogen- Production- Steam Reformer Processes