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  4. Experimental characterization of a solid oxide fuel cell coupled to a steam-driven micro anode off-gas recirculation fan
 
research article

Experimental characterization of a solid oxide fuel cell coupled to a steam-driven micro anode off-gas recirculation fan

Wagner, Patrick Hubert  
•
Wuillemin, Zacharie  
•
Constantin, David  
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March 15, 2020
Applied Energy

While the global fuel utilization of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is limited by the stack aging rate, the fuel excess is typically used in a burner, and thus limiting the system electrical efficiency. Further, natural-gas-fueled SOFCs require treated water for the steam reforming process, which increases operational cost. Here, we introduce a novel micro anode off-gas recirculation fan that is driven by a partial-admission (21%) and low-reaction (15%) steam turbine with a tip diameter of 15 mm. The 30 W turbine is propelled by pressurized steam, which is generated from the excess stack heat. The shaft runs on dynamic steam-lubricated bearings and rotates up to 175 krpm. For a global fuel utilization of 75% and a constant fuel mass flow rate, the electrical gross DC efficiency based on the lower heating value was improved from 52 % to 57 % with the anode off-gas recirculation, while the local fuel utilization decreased from 75% to 61%, which is expected to significantly increase stack lifetime. For a global fuel utilization of 85%, gross efficiencies of 66% in part load (4.5 kWe) and 61% in full load (6.3 kWe) were achieved with the anode off-gas recirculation. The results suggest that the steam-driven anode off-gas recirculation can achieve a neutral water consumption.

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Type
research article
DOI
10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114219
Author(s)
Wagner, Patrick Hubert  
Wuillemin, Zacharie  
Constantin, David  
Diethelm, Stefan  
Van herle, Jan  
Schiffmann, Jürg  
Date Issued

2020-03-15

Published in
Applied Energy
Volume

262

Article Number

114219

Subjects

Solid oxide fuel cell

•

anode off-gas recirculation

•

small-scale turbomachinery

•

radial fan

•

steam turbine

•

gas bearings

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LAMD  
SCI-STI-JVH  
Available on Infoscience
February 10, 2020
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/165225
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