High performance protonic ceramic fuel cell systems for distributed power generation

The technology landscape around distributed generation continues to evolve in response to increasing demand for high-efficiency, low-emission, low-cost power generation. While emerging distributed power technologies, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), continue to advance, they still face challenges due to their high capital costs, and shorter lifetimes that typically arise from electrochemical stack performance degradation at high operating temperatures (>750 degrees C). Recent advancements in protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) offer the potential to mitigate drawbacks of their higher temperature SOFC counterparts by enabling lower operating temperatures (550 degrees C-600 degrees C) with acceptable power densities. The present work leverages the recent progress in protonic ceramic cell and stack technology development to generate viable system configurations and evaluate the energetic performance potential of PCFC-based systems for stationary power generation. Process system engineering of two water-neutral system concepts, which provide 25 kW of electric power and process hot water, are presented and evaluated through sensitivity studies. Stack design parameters are altered and used to gauge the effect on system performance characteristics, including fuel cell stack and balance-of-plant sizing requirements, and electric and cogeneration efficiencies. The study finds that the potentially high per-pass fuel utilization capability of PCFC stacks could enable unprecedented electric efficiencies approaching 70% without hybridization with other prime movers.

Automated summary

The technology landscape in distributed generation is evolving in response to demand for efficient, low-emission, and low-cost power generation. Recent advancements in protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) offer potential for higher electric efficiencies in stationary power generation systems. The study explores system configurations and performance characteristics of PCFC-based systems for power generation, highlighting the fuel utilization capability and potential for high efficiencies without hybridization.