An integrated natural gas power cycle using hydrogen and carbon fuel cells. (1st December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhuang, Quan; Geddis, Philip; Runstedtler, Allan; Clements, Bruce
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 209(2017)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2017-12-01
• Subjects: NGDDFC natural decarbonization dual fuel cell -- ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers -- CEO chief executive officer -- CFC carbon fuel cell -- CCS carbon capture and storage -- DCFC direct carbon fuel cell -- FB-CFC fluidized bed carbon fuel cell -- GHG greenhouse gas -- HFC hydrogen fuel cell -- HRSG heat recovery steam generator -- HX heat exchanger -- IGFC integrated gasification and fuel cell -- MCFC molten carbonate fuel cell -- MC-CFC molten carbonate carbon fuel cell -- MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- MW megawatt -- NG natural gas -- NGCC natural gas combined cycle -- OCV open current voltage -- SOFC solid oxide fuel cell; Natural gas decarbonization -- Hydrogen fuel cell -- Direct carbon fuel cell -- Process modeling -- UniSim -- Process efficiency -- Carbon capture -- Sequestration; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.07.080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Highlights: An advanced natural gas dual fuel cell system is proposed. Natural gas decarbonisation followed by a hydrogen fuel cell and a carbon fuel cell. Anode exhaust from carbon fuel cell is a pure CO2, ready for sequestration. The power cycle has an efficiency of 61% (HHV of natural gas) with 82% carbon capture. Abstract: An integrated power cycle comprising natural gas decarbonization in conjunction with a hydrogen fuel cell and a carbon fuel cell is proposed, termed a natural gas decarbonization dual fuel cell system (NGDDFC). In this process hydrogen and solid carbon produced in a natural gas decarbonization step are fed to hydrogen and carbon fuel cells, respectively. A pure carbon dioxide stream is produced from the carbon fuel cell, suitable for sequestration. Process modeling of this cycle carried out using UniSim R430, for the non-CO2 capture case, showed a cycle power efficiency of about 61%, which is 15 percentage points higher than the current natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) case. With 82% CO2 capture, the NGDDFC had a net efficiency about 20 percentage points higher than the published NGCC option, albeit with a slightly lower capture percentage (82% vs. 90%).