System development and commercialisation activities by Kinetics Technology International Group (KTI)/Mannesmann

Abstract

Kinetics Technology International Group (KTI), a subsidiary of the Mannesmann Plant Construction division, has been involved in fuel cell system development for almost a decade now. Starting with trouble shooting, consultancy and hydrogen production studies, KTI gradually built up know-how of system design, engineering and construction for fuel cell power plants, incorporating cell stacks from other manufacturing companies. These efforts have led to extensive system economics studies, and to a fuel cell system construction program. To date, two systems of 25 kW have been operational (one employing a stack manufactured by Engelhard Corp., the other a stack from Fuji Electric Corp.), a third is under construction, and an 80 kW unit in Bavaria has recently been started up (the latter two with stacks from Fuji Electric). Results from the program will be presented. Larger sizes are expected to be built in the near future, and economy of scale with proven hydrogen technology will allow for acceptable system cost for small series of units of 1–10 MW size. It is expected that future systems, employing fuel cells and special rotating components, will reach very high efficiencies (above 55–65%), both with high and with low temperature fuel cells.