Title:
Bio-Ethanol Reformer with HT-PEM Fuel Cell for Residential Combined Heat and Power Generation
Author(s):
Rochlitz, L., Koch, W., Magel, K., Aicher, T.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The aim of the project presented here is the demonstration of a combined heat and power reformer HT-PEM fuel cell system fuelled with bio-ethanol. The system combines the advantages of the fuel cell, i.e. high efficiency, low emissions, and low noise with those of bio-ethanol. This fuel represents a CO2-reduced approach to energy supply. It is non-toxic and commercially available worldwide. The technology significantly contributes to a move towards decentralization. In the system ethanol and water (at a steam to carbon ration of 2.5) are catalytically converted to a reformate gas with about 50 vol.-%dry H2 and 25 %dry CH4 and less than 1 %dry CO at temperatures of around 400 °C. This is achieved with an innovative catalyst. Due to the low CO content, the reformate gas can be fed directly to a HT-PEM fuel cell, where electricity and heat are produced. As opposed to conventional reformer fuel cell systems, no gas cleaning step is required. As a result, the system is much simpler. The CH4-rich anode offgas fuels a burner which provides heat for the evaporation and superheating of the ethanol-water feed. Due to the comparatively low reforming temperature, there is still excess heat in the burner offgas, which contributes to the system heat production. A complex heat exchanger design will ensure that the system is small enough to fit into the design of the SolvisMax® heating system by Solvis GmbH & Co KG.
Keywords:
bioethanol, combined heat and power generation (CHP), fuel cell, reforming, renewable energies
Topic:
Technology Deployment and Industrial Demonstration
Subtopic:
Biomass utilisation in the heat and CHP sector
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP4.1.7
Pages:
2254 - 2256
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP4.1.7
Price:
FREE
