Start-up and operation characteristics of a flame fuel cell unit. (15th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yuqing; Zeng, Hongyu; Cao, Tianyu; Shi, Yixiang; Cai, Ningsheng; Ye, Xiaofeng; Wang, Shaorong
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 178(2016)
• Page Start: 415
• Page End: 421
• Publication Date: 2016-09-15
• Subjects: Flame fuel cell -- Black start-up -- Combined heat and power -- Micro-tubular SOFC -- Porous media burner; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Graphical abstract: A micro heat and power cogeneration system with black start-up capability was proposed by integrating a flame fuel cell. A flame fuel cell unit with multi-cell configurations is potential to provide heat and power simultaneously for micro-CHP systems to start up without external energy source. Highlights: A novel micro-CHP system using the flame fuel cell for black start-up. Integrating a porous media burner with a micro-tubular SOFC. Start-up and operation characteristics of a flame fuel cell unit. Abstract: This work aims to investigate a black start-up process for micro cogeneration (combined heat and power, CHP) systems based on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A novel micro-CHP system concept using a flame fuel cell (FFC) for start-up is proposed. An FFC unit is experimentally implemented and studied by integrating a porous media burner with a micro-tubular SOFC. The FFC is demonstrated to start up within seconds with the fuel-rich combustion of a methane-air mixture. The porous media burner acts as a non-catalytic fuel processor for the SOFC with a maximum methane reforming efficiency of 49%. The flame fuel cell performance is tested for various equivalence ratios at a fixed inlet gas velocity of 0.15 m/s. The power reaches a significant value of 1.5 W at 0.7 V with a single fuel cell when operating with a fuel-rich flame at the equivalence ratio of 1.6. A flame fuel cell unit with multi-cell configurations has the potential to provide heat and power simultaneously for micro-CHP systems during the start-up process without an external energy source.