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Research Papers

# Test Results and Efficiency Estimation of $1.2MPa$ Pressurized MCFC Module

[+] Author and Article Information
Fumihiko Yoshiba

Energy Engineering Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 2-6-1 Nagasaka, Yokosuka 240-0196, Japanyoshiba@criepi.denken.or.jp

J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol 5(2), 021011 (Apr 18, 2008) (12 pages) doi:10.1115/1.2784282 History: Received November 24, 2005; Revised June 26, 2006; Published April 18, 2008

## Abstract

A module part of a $7MW$ class centralized molten carbonate fuel cell/gas turbine (GT) combined system has been tested. Since the designed (GT) working pressure is $1.2MPa$, the operating pressure of the module was high $(1.2MPa)$. In order to realize a high steam-reforming efficiency of the fuel gas under high-pressure operation, the module has an additional adiabatic reformer, which changes the $CH4$ remaining in the exhausted anode gas to $H2$. Using a 125-cell stack, the module was operated and the performance of the stack was evaluated; the $CO2$ partial pressure of the cathode inlet gas was kept low during the operation. The maximum operating current density of the stack was limited to $1600A∕m2$; however, the maximum total steam-reforming efficiency of the fuel gas was 96% in the module. The heat loss of the module was evaluated in the pressure swing test. Using these operation results, the efficiency of the module, at the designed operating current density of $2000A∕m2$, was estimated; the result was 39.6% low heating value (LHV) by applying the normal cell performance, whereas 44.4% LHV by applying the best performance cell. The module efficiency of 44.4% LHV corresponds to the system’s net efficiency of 48% high heating value in the $7MW$ system.

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## Figures

Figure 1

Schematic configuration of 7MW class MCFC/GT system

Figure 2

Configuration of 750kW class MCFC module

Figure 3

Measured OCV and cell voltage of 125 stacks

Figure 4

Current voltage relation of cells

Figure 5

Reforming efficiency of adiabatic reformer versus current density

Figure 6

Reforming efficiency and average cell voltage of A-type cells versus S/C ratio. Operating current density is fixed at 1221–1223A∕m2. Reforming temperature of main reformer is 755–770°C. Fuel utilization/CO2 utilization/O2utilization=38.5–39.3%∕28.1–31.7%∕15.6–17.8%.

Figure 7

Total reforming efficiency and reforming efficiency of main and adiabatic reformer versus CO2. Current density is fixed at 1003–1004A∕m2. Fuel utilization is fixed at 31.3–34.1%.

Figure 8

Module efficiency versus operating current density. The module efficiency at an operating current density of 2000A∕m2 is estimated based on the measured performance of the module.

Figure 9

Material balance of the main and adiabatic reformer

Figure 10

Conceptual figure of Ni shortening in MCFC

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