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Fuel cell systems with steam reforming technology can achieve primary energy savings and CO2 reduction, with electrical system efficiencies over 40% possible.

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What they did

System
MFC

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Abstract

Abstract Primary energy savings and CO 2 reduction is one of the key motivations for the use of fuel cell systems in the energy sector. A benchmark of domestic cogeneration by PEMFC with existing large scale power production systems such as combined steam‐gas turbine cycle, clearly reveals that only fuel cell systems optimising overall energy efficiency (> 85%) and electrical efficiencies (> 35%) show significant primary energy savings, about 10%, compared with the best competing technology. In this context, fuel processing technology plays a dominant role. A comparison of autothermal and steam reforming concepts in a PEMFC system shows inherent advantages in terms of efficiency at low complexity for the latter. The main reason for this is that steam reforming allows for the straightforward and effective use of the anode‐off gas energy in the reformer burner. Consequently, practical electrical system efficiencies over 40% seem to be achievable, most likely by steam reformers. FLOX®‐steam reforming technology has reached a high state of maturity, offering diverse advantages including: compact design, stable anode off‐gas usage, high efficiency, as well as simple control behaviour. Scaling of the concept is straightforward and offers an opportunity for efficient adaptation to smaller (1 kW) and larger (50 kW) units.

Key findings

  • Autothermal reforming concepts have inherent advantages in terms of efficiency at low complexity.
  • Steam reforming allows for the effective use of anode-off gas energy in the reformer burner.
  • FLOX-steam reforming technology has reached a high state of maturity with diverse advantages.

Keywords

Steam reformingCogenerationProcess engineeringProton exchange membrane fuel cellEnergy carrierContext (archaeology)

Identifiers

DOI
10.1002/fuce.200400039
Journal
Fuel Cells
Year
2004