Process Simulation for Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells

Abstract

In the framework of electricity production from molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC), this work presents the results obtained from steady state process simulation, coupled with a detailed dynamic model for the cell. The derivation of the model is briefly outlined, and detailed results of the simulation are reported. Macroscopic state variables of the overall system process are investigated by means of sensitivity analysis, yielding clear directions for process improvement and optimisation. The detailed steady state and dynamic simulation of the MCFC for a bi‐dimensional cross flow configuration showed the importance of the state variable distribution in the cell. Both models were based on data from real plants, and the simulation conditions were selected according to real operating conditions. The process studied was a 500 kW MCFC power system based on Ansaldo fuel cell (AFC) technology. The steady state simulation revealed the main interactions among the different devices involved in the process, and the subsequent sensitivity analysis showed that there is room for improvement in electrical efficiency by increasing: i) the steam to methane ratio, ii) the pressure, and iii) the air feed ratio. The dynamic simulation yielded the quantitative response of the system to several, different, perturbations and proved to be a valid tool for determining temperature, current, and voltage profiles as a function of time, within the fuel cells.

Stack Modelling of a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC)

“…The complexity of the models varies from a lumped representation of the fuel cell stack [5,6] over the simulation of a small 3D cutout section of one cell [7] to models of one fuel cell, taking into account the 3D geometry [8] or a simplified 2D representation of the cell plane [9][10][11][12][13]]. An agglomerate model where the volume averaged stack is simulated was presented by Brouwer et al [14].…”

Fuel Cells: Technologies and Applications

“…These ions are transported from the cathode to the anode where they combine with hydrogen to produce water, carbon dioxide and electrons. These electrons are then collected by the anode and routed, through an external circuit, to the cathode thus generating electricity and heat [12,33,34].…”

Ionic polymer cluster energetics: Computational analysis of pendant chain stiffness and charge imbalance

“…However, theoretical and computational studies on the length scale of nanometers presents an interesting challenge in that it is not truly continuum in nature, nor is it quantum. Moreover, this is the length scale studied in molecular dynamics, where quasicontinuum balland-spring approaches are typically applied, 27,28 as has been done in this effort. Recognizing that the constant surfacetension coefficient derives from the intermolecular forces of a pure substance, one should expect that this constant will be locally altered when a single cation or anion group is acting upon the cluster surface.…”