This work presents an analysis of the application of direct carbon fuel cells (DCFC) to large scale, coal fueled power cycles. DCFCs are a type of high temperature fuel cell featuring the possibility of being fed directly with coal or other heavy fuels, with high tolerance to impurities and contaminants (e.g., sulfur) contained in the fuel. Different DCFC technologies of this type are developed in laboratories, research centers or new startup companies, although at kW-scale, showing promising results for their possible future application to stationary power generation. This work investigates the potential application of two DCFC categories, both using a “molten anode medium” which can be (i) a mixture of molten carbonates or (ii) a molten metal (liquid tin) flowing at the anode of a fuel cell belonging to the solid oxide electrolyte family. Both technologies can be considered particularly interesting for the possible future application to large scale, coal fueled power cycles with CO2 capture, since they both have the advantage of oxidizing coal without mixing the oxidized products with nitrogen; thus releasing a high CO2 concentration exhaust gas. After a description of the operating principles of the two DCFCs, it is presented a lumped-volume thermodynamic model which reproduces the DCFC behavior in terms of energy and material balances, calibrated over available literature data. We consider then two plant layouts, using a hundred-MW scale coal feeding, where the DCFC generates electricity and heat recovered by a bottoming steam cycle, while the exhaust gases are sent to a CO2 compression train, after purification in appropriate cleaning processes. Detailed results are presented in terms of energy and material balances of the proposed cycles, showing how the complete system may surpass 65% lower heating value electrical efficiency with nearly complete (95%+) CO2 capture, making the system very attractive, although evidencing a number of technologically critical issues.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
January 2013
Research-Article
Analysis of Direct Carbon Fuel Cell Based Coal Fired Power Cycles With CO2 Capture
Stefano Campanari,
Stefano Campanari
1
e-mail: stefano.campanari@polimi.it
1Corresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
Matteo C. Romano
Matteo C. Romano
Politecnico di Milano—Energy Department
,Via Lambruschini 4
,20156 Milano
, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
Stefano Campanari
e-mail: stefano.campanari@polimi.it
Matteo C. Romano
Politecnico di Milano—Energy Department
,Via Lambruschini 4
,20156 Milano
, Italy
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the International Gas Turbine Institute of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING FOR GAS TURBINES AND POWER. Manuscript received June 30, 2012; final manuscript received July 14, 2012; published online November 30, 2012. Editor: Dilip R. Ballal.
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Jan 2013, 135(1): 011701 (9 pages)
Published Online: November 30, 2012
Article history
Received:
June 30, 2012
Revision Received:
July 14, 2012
Citation
Campanari, S., Gazzani, M., and Romano, M. C. (November 30, 2012). "Analysis of Direct Carbon Fuel Cell Based Coal Fired Power Cycles With CO2 Capture." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. January 2013; 135(1): 011701. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4007354
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Image-based flashback detection in a hydrogen-fired gas turbine using a convolutional autoencoder
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
Fuel Thermal Management and Injector Part Design for LPBF Manufacturing
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
An investigation of a multi-injector, premix/micromix burner burning pure methane to pure hydrogen
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
Related Articles
A SOFC-Based Integrated Gasification Fuel Cell Cycle With CO2 Capture
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (July,2011)
Examination of the Effect of System Pressure Ratio and Heat Recuperation on the Efficiency of a Coal-Based Gas Turbine Fuel Cell Hybrid Power Generation System With CO 2 Capture
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (August,2011)
Comparison of Preanode and Postanode Carbon Dioxide Separation for IGFC Systems
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (June,2010)
Highly Efficient IGFC Hybrid Power Systems Employing Bottoming Organic Rankine Cycles With Optional Carbon Capture
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (February,2012)
Related Chapters
Energy Options and Terms: An Introduction
Energy Supply and Pipeline Transportation: Challenges & Opportunities
Combined Cycle Power Plant
Energy and Power Generation Handbook: Established and Emerging Technologies
Conclusions
Clean and Efficient Coal-Fired Power Plants: Development Toward Advanced Technologies