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Modeling of a 5 kWe Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based Auxiliary Power Unit Operating on JP-8 Fuel

Tanim, Tanvir R.

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Mechanical Engineering (Engineering and Technology).

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) offer potential for high conversion efficiency, high energy utilization, low emissions and quiet operation. Because of the cost associated with hydrogen storage, coupling an onboard fuel reformer with a SOFC stack is an attractive option for small decentralized and Mobile Electric Power (MEP) generation and as an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for motor vehicles. In this study Aspen Plus simulation software is used to develop a 5 kWe APU model using JP-8 as a fuel. JP-8 is selected because of its near ubiquitous use by the U.S. Army and Air Force for ground and air operations. The SOFC platform is selected due to its inherent advantages including: high fuel conversion efficiency, compact design, low noise and emissions. In this study desulfurized JP-8 surrogate fuel is reformed in an onboard autothermal reformer (ATR). The resultant H2 and CO mixture is used as fuel for the SOFC stack. The steam rich anode exhaust is recycled to supply the ATR with thermal energy and steam required to reform the fuel. Such an implementation makes the proposed system lighter and more compact, avoiding the need for an external steam generator and additional heat source for the ATR” (Tanim & Bayless, 2011). Ni-YSZ based tubular and planar SOFC stacks operating at 910 °C and 850 °C, respectively are evaluated as part of the study. ATR performance from 700 °C to 850 °C in the H2O/C ratio range of 0.10-1.0 is investigated.

The tubular cell based system (T-SOFC) showed a maximum net AC efficiency of 39.55% at 700 °C reformer temperature and a minimum of 32.60% at 850 °C. The planar cell based system (P-SOFC) demonstrated a maximum and minimum efficiency of 37.10% and 29.20% at 700 °C and 800 °C reformer temperatures, respectively. Sensitivity analyses are conducted evaluating the effect of the fuel utilization factor (Uf) and the current density (j) to determine optimum system operating windows. Finally, the T-SOFC and P-SOFC systems are compared and the results are analyzed in terms of voltage, net AC efficiency and power density. The anode supported P-SOFC system demonstrated a higher operating current density range achieving higher efficiency and power density compared to T-SOFC system.

Jason Trembly, PhD (Committee Chair)
David Bayless, PhD (Committee Co-Chair)
Gregory Kremer, PhD (Committee Member)
JungHun Choi, PhD (Committee Member)
Hugh Richardson, PhD (Committee Member)
179 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tanim, T. R. (2012). Modeling of a 5 kWe Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based Auxiliary Power Unit Operating on JP-8 Fuel [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1323723293

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tanim, Tanvir. Modeling of a 5 kWe Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based Auxiliary Power Unit Operating on JP-8 Fuel. 2012. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1323723293.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tanim, Tanvir. "Modeling of a 5 kWe Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based Auxiliary Power Unit Operating on JP-8 Fuel." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1323723293

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)