Descripción del proyecto
Eficiencia extraordinaria para la generación termoeléctrica
Cubrir la creciente demanda energética mundial de forma sostenible es uno de los desafíos más importantes del siglo XXI. La microgeneración termoeléctrica es una tecnología hipocarbónica destinada a hogares y edificios que genera simultáneamente calor y electricidad. Los sistemas basados en pilas de combustible con membrana de intercambio de protones de alta temperatura (HTPEMFC) son los que más opciones ofrecen en cuanto a alta eficiencia y bajas emisiones. El proyecto financiado con fondos europeos EMPOWER mejora considerablemente esta tecnología valiosa para ofrecer un sistema de microgeneración termoeléctrica HTPEMFC alimentado por metanol que pueda adaptarse también al sector marítimo. La labor de optimización y validación técnica de la tecnología cuenta con el apoyo económico de la UE al igual que los análisis económicos previos a su comercialización.
Objetivo
In the EMPOWER project a methanol fuelled 5 kWe mini-CHP system based on HTPEMFC technology is developed, manufactured and validated in a relevant environment. The system efficiency over 50% (DC, LHV) is achieved with novel ideas of thermal integration with a two-stage reformer setup and by using thermoelectric generators (TEG), utilising the high temperature heat of HTPEMFC stack.
An aqueous phase reformer (APR) for methanol pre-reforming is applied for the first time in a commercial scale HTPEMFC system. The use of APR and its thermal integration in the FC system enables efficient utilisation of the stack waste heat and enables reformer efficiency approaching 95%. The best available catalysts will be screened and adapted for the reformer, both for the APR and for the 2nd stage reformer, which employs commercialised reformer technology from project partner Catator and recently developed methanol-reforming catalyst from partner University of Porto.
The system efficiency is further improved by increasing the fuel utilization to above 95% in the HTPEMFC stack. This is enabled by improving anode gas flow distribution in the cells as well as improving the stack end plates. The new end plate design will also enable stack pressurising and improving stack efficiency over 55 %.
The improvements in the HTPEM system design for mini-CHP use are validated in relevant environment, coupled to the heating and power system of a detached house, so that reliable data of the operation and stability can be generated.
The accelerated test will be carried out for a period of 6 months and for at least 2,000 h of operation. Lastly, the project includes planning for scaling both the reformer solution and CHP system to 50-100 kWe size, including the addition of expanders.
The technical work is complemented with a business analysis, including all the relevant elements of the methanol FC value chain, for the use of the developed technology in micro-CHP, CHP and maritime sectors.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power generationcombined heat and power
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryalcohols
- natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinador
02150 Espoo
Finlandia