Influence on the Electrical Efficiency of a Hybrid MGT-SOFC-System by μ-fogging in a-Two-Staged Compressor System

Abstract

Hybrid combinations of solid oxide fuel cell and recuperated micro gas turbines can convert the chemical energy of hydrocarbon-based fuels in electrical energy with high electrical efficiency. With an integrated and improved cycle management, more than 70% of the energy content of the fuel could be converted. Therefore, the systems are highly suitable for the Power-To-Gas conversion. In particular, a pressure charging of the SOFC fuel cell leads to an increase in stack performance. By a downstream turbo set, after residual fuels are intentionally oxidized with an afterburner, additional electrical energy can be gained from the expansion of the hot exhaust gas stream and the overall efficiency can be increased. In order to increase the electrical efficiency of the system, it is proposed, to ensure the required compression of the process air in particular by a-two-staged turbo compressor with an intermediate cooling system. By thus achievable reduction of the dissipation of the compressor and by targeted condensation of finest drops in front of the second compressor stage affected by intermediate cooling, an increase in efficiency of the system is possible. This is achieved by targeted cooling of the process air behind a low pressure compression, so that it is saturated over 100% relative air humidity. As a result, a slightly supersaturated airflow is available for the second compressor stage, which enters the compressor after heat removal via an intermediate cooling having a small number of microdroplets. Therefore, the condensed water evaporates again by the heat of compression in the second stage and the compressed flow ultimately enters the recuperation at a lower temperature than during normal compression. Thus, more heat can be recovered within the recuperation system. Therefore, the electrical energy of the system can be produced having higher efficiency, because the heat dissipation of the overall system decreases. In this article it is presented, how such a process is thermodynamically modelled and how a technical realization can be built after optimization by simulations. Finally, in this study, the process-influencing factors are analyzed to show the highest possible electrical yield of such a system.