Due to the intermittent nature of the renewable power plants and the rigid operation of existing plans, the need for flexible energy production is eminent. Hybrid energy systems have shown some potential for flexible power production capable to fulfil the power demands and maintain the grid stability. In this study, the performance and the potential flexibility of an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) was analyzed in a 100kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) hybrid system for a range of fuel utilization between 70% and 90%. Anode off gas from the fuel cell stack provided the chemical energy to run the ICE. A turbocharger delivered the necessary air flow for both fuel cell and engine. The design of the ICE/SOFC hybrid cycle was compared at different reformer operating temperatures ranging from 600K to 1000K to also evaluate the impacts of external reforming and on-anode reforming. The present configuration considered heat management of the anode exhaust to attain the operational limits of the ICE. It was discovered that the system efficiency increased as the fuel utilization increased following a nearly linear behavior. The highest efficiency attain was 62% at a reformer operating temperature of 800K and a 90% fuel utilization. The minimum external fuel needed to maintain turbocharger in operation decreased with the increase on the reformer temperature. Power contribution between ICE and SOFC followed a linear behavior closely overlapping each trend at different reforming operational temperatures. 


System Analysis of a 100kw Internal Combustion Engine (Ice)/solid Oxide Fuel Cell (Sofc) Hybrid Configuration.

Division / Sponsors: 
Power Division & Nuclear Engineering Division (NED)

Power Conference
Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/POWER/POWER2020/volume/83747

International Conference on Nuclear Engineering
Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ICONE/ICONE2020/volume/83761

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