Transcript Titel - Lotus Project

LOTUS: a SOFC based microCHP system
Dick Lieftink
Piero Lunghi Conference, Rome, Italy; 15 december 2011
What is LOTUS?
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Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell m-CHP system
JTI-FCHU Project (GA 256694)
3 year project: January 2011- December 2013
• Main Objectives are
• Temperature is 650°C
• Low cost, mass-produced, proven components
• Electrical system efficiency of minimal 45%
• Total system efficiency of minimal 80%
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The partners:
Associated partner
Functions of the partners
Partner
Main task in Project
• HyGear Fuel Cell systems (NL)
Coordinator, system design and
construction
SOFC stack development
• SOFCPower (I)
• Frauenhofer Institut für Keramische
Technologien und Systeme (D)
System modeling and controls
• Domel (Slo)
Gas- Air system development
• University of Perugia (I)
User profile input, SOFC single cell
testing
SOFC stack testing, testplan
harmonization
• European Commission/ JRC (B)
• Associated partner: Vaillant (D)
System requirements
Set up of LOTUS
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WP1: Project Management
WP2: Low temperature Stack implementation
WP3: System design and modeling
WP4: System Engineering
WP5: Prototyping
WP6: System test and validation
Requirements
• System Requirement Document
– Voice of customer represented by Vaillant
– User profiles on electricity and heat use of houses, hotels
gathered by the University of Perugia
Daily electricity consumption of five member family home (data: UniPG)
Basis of development
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SOFC at 650°C
Internal/external reforming
Combination of burner functions
Off the shelf, proven, reliable technology for components
where possible
• Steam reforming
• Blower strategy
• Desulphurization
• System model by IKTS
(next contribution)
Example: Sankey diagram for concept evaluation (IKTS)
SOFC stack
• Developed and constructed by SOFCPower
• Low temperature operation will improve material reliability
• SOFCPower has experience in reducing the temperature
of the stack using anode supported cells
• Partial internal reforming is possible, however 100%
internal reforming creates big temperature gradient due to
endothermicity.
Harmonization of test protocols for SOFC cells/stacks
JRC coordinates with input from (a.o.) LOTUS partners
System engineering
• Construction of P&ID, with outlook on CE certification
– Safe operation
• HyGear has proven, in house technology to tightly integrate heat
exchangers and catalysts with burner
– Heat loss reduction, high efficiency
• Some specific heat exchangers are commercially available
– Low cost, high reliability
Burner development
• Anode Tailgas Burner
– H2, CO, CH4 oxidation:
• dual stage: flame and catalytic
– Modulation: half power, idle mode
– Inverter trips
• Start up burner
– CH4 oxidation
• Provide heat to :
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Steam reformer: requires close integration
Stack Air preheater
Steam production
CHP function
• Target is to combine these functions in one piece of hardware
Steam reformer: catalyst testing
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Size matters: high activity
Cost matters: Commercial materials from catalyst manufacturers
Variables: CH4 flowrate, Steam-to-carbon ratio, Temperature
H2 (max)
H2 (dubble)
H2(thermo)
CH4 (max)
CH4 (dubble)
CH4(thermo)
CO (max)
CO (dubble)
CO(thermo)
CO2 (max)
CO2 (dubble)
CO2(thermo)
90
80
Gas composition (vol% dry)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
600
620
640
660
680
700
T(outlet) (°C)
720
740
760
780
800
Blower development: DOMEL
• Based on the process model a single blower is developed for gas/air
supply strategies like:
– Multi-blower system
– Single blower system
– Single blower system in exhaust
– Single blower in exhaust is preferred:
• less parts  lower cost
• System at under-pressure  inherently safer
Desulphurization
• Removal of odorants from natural gas
– THT, mercaptans (0 – 5 ppmv)
– Natural occurring H2S and COS (0 – 15 ppmv)
• Room temperature adsorbents are available
– Porous materials like activated carbons and zeolites
– Supported metal oxides
• Watch out for hydrocarbon co-adsorption
– Waste treatment and transportation
• Solid adsorbents are the most cost effective way and have
the least system impact
Status and future of LOTUS
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Stack material testing ongoing
First burner prototype will be tested in January 2012
Evaluation of single blower design is evaluated
Catalyst evaluation
Control strategy development
• Important Milestones:
– 1kWe SOFC stack delivery: January 2013
– System prototype ready: June 2013
Thank you for your attention!