Microturbines and fuel cells are currently attracting a lot of attention to meet future users needs in the distributed generation market. This paper addresses a preliminary analysis of a representative state-of-the-art 50-kW microturbine coupled with a high-temperature solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The technologies of the two elements of such a hybrid-power plant are in a different state of readiness. The microturbine is in an early stage of pre-production and the SOFC is still in the development phase. It is premature to propose an optimum solution. Based on today’s technology the hybrid plant, using natural gas fuel, would have a power output of about 389 kW, and an efficiency of 60 percent. If the waste heat is used the overall fuel utilization efficiency would be about 80 percent. Major features, parameters, and performance of the microturbine and the SOFC are discussed. The compatibility of the two systems is addressed, and the areas of technical concern, and mismatching issues are identified and discussed. Fully understanding these, and identifying solutions, is the key to the future establishing of an optimum overall system. This approach is viewed as being in concert with evolving technological changes. In the case of the microturbine changes will be fairly minor as they enter production on a large scale within the next year or so, but are likely to be significant for the SOFC in the next few years, as extensive efforts are expended to reduce unit cost. It is reasonable to project that a high performance and cost-effective hybrid plant, with high reliability, will be ready for commercial service in the middle of the first decade of the 21st century. While several microturbines can be packaged to give an increased level of power, this can perhaps be more effectively accomplished by coupling just a single gas turbine module with a SOFC. The resultant larger power output unit opens up new market possibilities in both the industrial nations and developing countries.
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January 2002
Technical Papers
Microturbine/Fuel-Cell Coupling for High-Efficiency Electrical-Power Generation
A. F. Massardo,
A. F. Massardo
DISMET Universita di Genova, Via Montallegro 1, 16145 Genova, Italy
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C. F. McDonald,
C. F. McDonald
McDonald Thermal Engineering, 1730 Castellana Road, La Jolla, CA 92037-3838
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T. Korakianitis
T. Korakianitis
Washington University, Cambus Box 1185, St. Louis, MO 63130
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A. F. Massardo
DISMET Universita di Genova, Via Montallegro 1, 16145 Genova, Italy
C. F. McDonald
McDonald Thermal Engineering, 1730 Castellana Road, La Jolla, CA 92037-3838
T. Korakianitis
Washington University, Cambus Box 1185, St. Louis, MO 63130
Contributed by the International Gas Turbine Institute (IGTI) of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING FOR GAS TURBINES AND POWER. Paper presented at the International Gas Turbine and Aeroengine Congress and Exhibition, Munich, Germany, May 8–11, 2000; Paper 00-GT-175. Manuscript received by IGTI, Nov. 1999; final revision received by ASME Headquarters, Feb. 2000. Associate Editor: D. R. Ballal.
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Jan 2002, 124(1): 110-116 (7 pages)
Published Online: February 1, 2000
Article history
Received:
November 1, 1999
Revised:
February 1, 2000
Citation
Massardo, A. F., McDonald, C. F., and Korakianitis, T. (February 1, 2000). "Microturbine/Fuel-Cell Coupling for High-Efficiency Electrical-Power Generation ." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. January 2002; 124(1): 110–116. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1398552
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