diesel reformer and sofc demonstration
DESCRIPTION
Diesel Reformer and SOFC Demonstration. AETDL Annual Review January 22, 2007 Dennis Witmer. Program Objective (2004). Remote power applications require use of hydrocarbon fuels, preferably diesel fuel SOFC development has been aided by the DOE SECA program - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Diesel Reformer and Diesel Reformer and SOFC DemonstrationSOFC Demonstration
AETDL Annual ReviewAETDL Annual Review
January 22, 2007January 22, 2007
Dennis WitmerDennis Witmer
Program Objective (2004)Program Objective (2004)
Remote power applications require use of Remote power applications require use of hydrocarbon fuels, preferably diesel fuelhydrocarbon fuels, preferably diesel fuel
SOFC development has been aided by the DOE SOFC development has been aided by the DOE SECA programSECA program
Diesel reformer development proceeding for on Diesel reformer development proceeding for on board fuel reforming for vehiclesboard fuel reforming for vehicles
Best diesel reformer technology and best fuel Best diesel reformer technology and best fuel cell not from same companycell not from same company
This project to bring together SOFC and diesel This project to bring together SOFC and diesel reformer in laboratory breadboard systemreformer in laboratory breadboard system
Program HistoryProgram History Acumentrics selected as fuel cell supplierAcumentrics selected as fuel cell supplier SOFCo diesel reforming technologySOFCo diesel reforming technology Initial demonstration at INEEL, using 500 kW Initial demonstration at INEEL, using 500 kW
Navy program reformerNavy program reformer INEEL diesel reformer never operated in a INEEL diesel reformer never operated in a
stable manner during demo period, could not stable manner during demo period, could not supply fuel cell (October 2004)supply fuel cell (October 2004)
On second attempt (March, 2005) successful On second attempt (March, 2005) successful operation with small scale SOFCo reformeroperation with small scale SOFCo reformer
Operated on low sulfur diesel and FT synthetic Operated on low sulfur diesel and FT synthetic diesel fueldiesel fuel
Program HistoryProgram History
Acumentrics fuel cell shipped to Fairbanks to Acumentrics fuel cell shipped to Fairbanks to operate on Natural Gas (April 2005)operate on Natural Gas (April 2005)
Unit failed after approximately 20 hours of Unit failed after approximately 20 hours of operation Fairbanksoperation Fairbanks
Acumentrics did not seem interested in Acumentrics did not seem interested in restarting unit (Summer, 2005)restarting unit (Summer, 2005)
Acumentrics stack redesign in Fall 2005 resulted Acumentrics stack redesign in Fall 2005 resulted in significant performance improvementin significant performance improvement
Offered to rebuild system with new improved Offered to rebuild system with new improved stack stack
Our old stack with failed tubeOur old stack with failed tube
Progress in 2006Progress in 2006
Fuel cell shipped back to Acumentrics Fuel cell shipped back to Acumentrics factory in April 2006factory in April 2006
Stack rebuild done in Fall 2006Stack rebuild done in Fall 2006 Factory acceptance test conducted in first Factory acceptance test conducted in first
week of December, 2006week of December, 2006 Unit performed well in FAT, crated and Unit performed well in FAT, crated and
shipped to Fairbanksshipped to Fairbanks
New Stack ConfigurationNew Stack Configuration
Recent ProgressRecent Progress
Unit installed in Bidwell Avenue facility in Unit installed in Bidwell Avenue facility in early Januaryearly January
Started on January 4, 2007Started on January 4, 2007 Operated for 40 hours before shutdown on Operated for 40 hours before shutdown on
faulty voltage signalfaulty voltage signal Also CO monitors in building indicated Also CO monitors in building indicated
elevated levels (35-45 ppm)elevated levels (35-45 ppm) Heat recover coil pluggedHeat recover coil plugged Internet connection not completedInternet connection not completed
Cell Voltages Cell Voltages
Voltages
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
1/5/2007 4:48 1/5/2007 9:36 1/5/2007 14:24 1/5/2007 19:12 1/6/2007 0:00 1/6/2007 4:48 1/6/2007 9:36 1/6/2007 14:24
Time
Volts
V_01
V_02
V_03_04
V_05
V_06
V_07
V_08
V_09_10
V_11
V_12
V_13
V_14
V_15_16
V_17
V_18
V_19
V_20
V_21_22
V_23
V_24
V_25
V_26
V_27_28
V_29
V_30
V_31
V_32
V_33_34
V_35
Recent Progress (cont)Recent Progress (cont)
Repairs to unit completed 1/19/2007Repairs to unit completed 1/19/2007 Unit restarted this weekUnit restarted this week Hope to achieve long term run comparable Hope to achieve long term run comparable
to FCT operationto FCT operation
Diesel ReformerDiesel Reformer Phase 2 work is intended to automate the diesel Phase 2 work is intended to automate the diesel
reformer demonstrated at INEEL in March 2005reformer demonstrated at INEEL in March 2005 SOFCo is in the process of being purchased by SOFCo is in the process of being purchased by
another company (Rolls Royce Fuel Cell another company (Rolls Royce Fuel Cell Division)Division)
Intention is still to honor contract for diesel Intention is still to honor contract for diesel reformer programreformer program
Discussion at beginning of September indicated Discussion at beginning of September indicated that negotiations should be completed in 6 that negotiations should be completed in 6 weeks weeks
Subaward still not signedSubaward still not signed
And the Plot ThickensAnd the Plot Thickens
Acumentrics has developed a diesel Acumentrics has developed a diesel reformer program of their ownreformer program of their own
Evaluating reformers from Inovatec and a Evaluating reformers from Inovatec and a second company second company
Are looking for funding ($450K) to Are looking for funding ($450K) to complete an integrated systemcomplete an integrated system
The Demise of FCTThe Demise of FCT
Fuel Cell Technologies of Kingston, Fuel Cell Technologies of Kingston, Ontario shut its doors October 18, 2006Ontario shut its doors October 18, 2006
Some employees may be moving over to Some employees may be moving over to Acumentrics in BostonAcumentrics in Boston
Project SummaryProject Summary
Success on Propane operation at Exit Success on Propane operation at Exit GlacierGlacier
Success in SECA type stack at Exit Success in SECA type stack at Exit Glacier and in SECA stack at Acumentrics Glacier and in SECA stack at Acumentrics in Bostonin Boston
Long term stack performance data Long term stack performance data expected from Fairbanks demo unit. expected from Fairbanks demo unit.