TESTING OF AN INNOVATIVE COGENERATION PLANT WITH 200 KW PHOSPHORIC ACID FUEL CELL

Cel

The aim of the project is to test the technical and economic value of the fuel cells power plants fed with natural gas for "on site" applications. This will be achieved through a demonstration power plant, which represents the present pre-commmercial stage of the technology, as an integrating power installation linked to the ususal thermal and electrical users. In details, important parameters like energy efficiency, reliability and useful life of the components, safety and environmental impact of the installation will be tested. The results obtained will give the possibility of promoting the dissemination of these new generating installations and, through agreements of cooperation with US and Japanese builders, they will help the European industry to enter this market.
We carried out a measurement campaign on the quantities of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) existing in the exhaust gases to the stack.
We found NOx values lower than 4 mg/Nm3 which are thus within the foreseen limits and confirm the reduced environmental impact of the plant.
Instead, we found high CO values with considerable time variability within a range of 100-200 mg/Nm3. The most probable cause is to be sought in a malfunctioning reformer burner.
During the period 1/1/95 - 30/06/95 the plant has worked for 3901 hrs with a 90% availability, generating 425 MWh electricity and 360 MWh thermal energy.
The project consists of engineering, purchase of a power module with phosphoric acid fuel-cell, erection start up an experimental operation of a 200 kW fuel cells power plant.
The power plant is an integrated and compact 200 kW D.C. power generator with direct concersion of energy of natural gas to electricity by the fuel cell stack.
It also provide thermal energy for heating and hot water.
The power plant consists of three modules :
- D.C. that converts natural gas to direct current electricity;
- an electrical module that converts direct current power to alternating current power;
- a cooling module that rejects thermal energy in excess of installation requireemnts.
The plant can operate either independent of the utility grid or connected to the utility grid.
When independent of the grid it automatically responds to load demand. In this mode the plant can provide dedicated power for operation of critical load such as computers, also synchronised to the grid so that the grid become a no break backup power supply.
In the grid connected mode it operates in parallel with the grid at a selected power level. Operation of both grid independent and grid connected will be monitored remotely for operational and maintenance information.
Main expected characteristics :
Electrical rating 200 kW/235 kVA continuous
Electrical output 50 Hz - 380 V 3 phase, 4 wire
Electrical efficiency 40% net (LHV) from 40% to 100%
electrical capacity
Thermal rating 138600 kcal/h hot water 38 deg. C to 80 deg. C
at 100% electrical capacity
Fuel consumption 53.8 Nm3/h of natural gas at rated power
with HHV 8900 kcal/Nm3
Clean exhaust whcih meets CEE environmental standards.
Operation stack temperature 180 deg. C , pressure 1 Bar.

Program(-y)

ENG-THERMIE 1 - Programme (EEC) for the promotion of energy technology in Europe (THERMIE), 1990-1994

Temat(-y)

2.3 - INDUSTRY

Zaproszenie do składania wniosków

Data not available

System finansowania

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Koordynator

Azienda Consorziale Servizi

Wkład UE

Brak danych

Adres

Viale Carlo Berti Pichat 2-4
40127 Bologna
Włochy

Koszt całkowity