A power unit constituted by a reformer, a H2 purification section and a fuel cell is being installed c/o the Dept. of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of Universita` degli Studi di Milano, on the basis of a collaboration with Helbio S.A. (Hydrogen and Energy Production Systems, supplier) and the support of some sponsors (Linea Energia S.p.A., Parco Tecnologico Padano and Provincia di Lodi). The system is suitable to obtain 5 kWelectric (a.c.) + 5 kWthermal (hot water at 70°C) as peak output. H2 is produced by steam reforming (SR) of second generation bioethanol, obtainable by different non-food competitive biomass. The assessment of the effect of biomass nature and of the consequent different impurities left in the produced bioethanol is part of the experimentation, together with the evaluation of the impact of bioethanol production cost on the final energy cost. Furthermore, the effect of different ethanol/steam ratios will be taken into account to lighten as much as possible the energy demanding ethanol dehydration process. The former point focuses on catalyst life, imposing careful ethanol characterisation and proper catalyst formulation, whereas the latter is connected with the overall energetic efficiency and economic sustainability. Indeed, the reforming process requires co-feeding of water, opening the way to the research of different, cheaper, ethanol purification strategies, leading to lower ethanol concentration with respect to the azeotrope. The reformate is purified from CO down to a concentration below 20 ppm, suitable to feed the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) stack integrated in the fuel processor. This result is achieved by feeding it to two water gas shift reactors, connected in series and operating at high and low temperature, respectively. The expected CO concentration in the outcoming gas is ca. 1 vol% and the final CO removal to meet the specifications is accomplished by selective methanation. The purified H2 is fed to a 5 kWe PEMFC stack, which should have an expected overall efficiency around 80% (including thermal output). The main goal of the present project is to check system performance under widely different operating conditions and load, to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technology and to suggest adequate improvements. Different operating conditions are under evaluation as for ethanol origin, purity, concentration, temperature and space velocity of every reaction step, so to obtain the best compromise between H2 yield, power output and operating costs.
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ASME 2010 8th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology
June 14–16, 2010
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Advanced Energy Systems Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4405-2
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Integrated 5 kWe + 5 kWt PEM-FC Generator From Bioethanol: A Demonstrative Project Available to Purchase
Ilenia Rossetti,
Ilenia Rossetti
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Cesare Biffi,
Cesare Biffi
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Lucio Forni,
Lucio Forni
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Gian Franco Tantardini,
Gian Franco Tantardini
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Giuseppe Faita,
Giuseppe Faita
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Mario Raimondi,
Mario Raimondi
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Edoardo Vitto,
Edoardo Vitto
Linea Energia S.p.A., Rovato, BS, Italy
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Davide Alberti
Davide Alberti
Linea Energia S.p.A., Rovato, BS, Italy
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Ilenia Rossetti
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
Cesare Biffi
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
Lucio Forni
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
Gian Franco Tantardini
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
Giuseppe Faita
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
Mario Raimondi
Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
Edoardo Vitto
Linea Energia S.p.A., Rovato, BS, Italy
Davide Alberti
Linea Energia S.p.A., Rovato, BS, Italy
Paper No:
FuelCell2010-33049, pp. 465-471; 7 pages
Published Online:
December 3, 2010
Citation
Rossetti, I, Biffi, C, Forni, L, Tantardini, GF, Faita, G, Raimondi, M, Vitto, E, & Alberti, D. "Integrated 5 kWe + 5 kWt PEM-FC Generator From Bioethanol: A Demonstrative Project." Proceedings of the ASME 2010 8th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. ASME 2010 8th International Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Conference: Volume 2. Brooklyn, New York, USA. June 14–16, 2010. pp. 465-471. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FuelCell2010-33049
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