Abstract
Abstract The power generation community faces a major challenge: to protect the environment while producing a plentiful supply of clean low-cost energy. “21st Century Energy Plants” (Vision 21 Plants) have been proposed and conceptualized to meet the energy and environmental challenges. The solid oxide fuel cell and intercooled gas turbine (SOFC–ICGT) hybrid cycle introduced in this work is one example of a Vision 21 Plant. The system includes an internal-reforming tubular-SOFC, an intercooled gas turbine, a humidifier, and other auxiliary components. A recently developed thermodynamic analysis computer code entitled advanced power systems analyses tools (APSAT) was applied to analyze the system performance of the SOFC–ICGT cycle. Sensitivity analyses of several major system parameters were studied to identify the key development needs and design and operating improvements for this hybrid cycle. A novel optimization strategy including a design of experiments (DOEx) approach is proposed and applied to the hybrid system. Using this optimization strategy, a system electrical efficiency higher than 75% (net ac/lower heating value (LHV)) could be achieved when the system was designed to operate under a high operating pressure (50 bara) and with a low percent excess air (EA) (55%) in the SOFC.
Highlights
The Vision 21 program of the US Department of Energy proposes a new approach to produce energy that addresses pollution control as an integral part of high-efficiency energy production in a “Vision 21 Energy Plant”
The fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiency goal of a Vision 21 energy plant is greater than 60% (higher heating value (HHV) basis) using coal as fuel source and greater than 75% (lower heating value (LHV) basis) using natural gas
Previous research work conducted at the National Fuel Cell Research Center of the University of California, Irvine (NFCRC/UCI), which was limited to hybrid systems of less than MW output, showed that the efficiency goal of the Vision program was achievable with small hybrids
Summary
Previous research work conducted at the National Fuel Cell Research Center of the University of California, Irvine (NFCRC/UCI), which was limited to hybrid systems of less than MW output, showed that the efficiency goal of the Vision program was achievable with small hybrids. This was found to be the case despite having turbomachinery components with limited efficiencies (due to the smaller size). As a milestone in the third step, the current SOFC–ICGT hybrid cycle is presented and optimized as the first Vision 21 power plant capable of meeting Vision 21 goals
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