• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11b
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• pp.3049-3052
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• 2008

MCFC(molten carbonate fuel cell) power generation system is prime candidate for the utilization of fossil based fuels to generate ultra clean power with a high efficiency. In the MCFC power plant system, a combustor performs a role to supply high temperature mixture gases for cathode and heat for reformer by using the stack off-gas of the anode which includes a high concentration of $H_2O$ and $CO_2$. Since a combustor needs to be operated in a very lean condition and to avoid excessive local heating, catalytic combustor is usually used. The catalytic combustion is accomplished by the catalytic chemical reaction between fuel and oxidizer at catalyst surface, different from conventional combustion. In this study, a mathematical model for the prediction of internal flow and catalytic combustion characteristics in the catalytic combustor adopted in the MCFC power plant system is suggested by using the numerical methods. The numerical simulation models are then implemented into the commercial CFD code. After verifying result by comparing with the experimental data and calibrated kinetic parameters of catalytic combustion reaction, a numerical simulation is performed to investigate the variation of flow and combustion characteristics by changing such various parameters as inlet configuration and inlet temperature. The result show that the catalytic combustion can be effectively improved for most of the case by using the perforated plate and subsequent stable catalytic combustion is expected.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2003.07b
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• pp.1350-1352
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• 2003

For developing a 100 kW MCFC power generation system, Several design parameters for a fuel cell stack and system analysis results by Cycle Tempo, a processing computer soft ware, were described. Approximately two substacks with 90 cells are required to generate 100 kW at a current density of $125\;mA/cm^2$ with $6000\;cm^2$ of cells. An overall heat balance was calculated to predict exit temperature. The 100 kW power is expected only under pressurized operation condition at 3 atm. Recycle of cathode gas by more than 50% is recommended to run the stack at $125\;mA/cm^2$ and 3 atm. Manifolds should be designed based on gas flow rates for the suggested operating condition. The fuel cell power generation system was designed conceptually with several choices of utilization of anode exhaust gas. To operate and evaluate the MCFC system, control and measurement system and operation mode are designed before 100 MCFC system construction. In system control schematics, OS, PLC and MMI were consisted and have roles for MCFC system control. For operation of 100 kW MCFC system, NS, PS PR mode were considerated step by step and simulated.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.154-161
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• 2009

A fuel cell power plant is a very complex system which has various control loops with some non-linearity. For control of a fuel cell power plant, dynamic models of fuel cell stacks have been developed and simplified process flow diagrams of a fuel cell power plant has been presented. Using such a model of a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) power plant, this paper deals with development of an intelligent setpoint reference governor (I-SRG) to find the optimal setpoints and feed forward control inputs for the plant power demand. The I-SRG is implemented with neural network by using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm based on system constraints and performance objectives. The feasibility of the I-SRG is shown through simulation of an MCFC power plant for tracking control of its power demand.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.124-131
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• 2006

For commercialization of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), it has some problems to be overcome such as decrease of porosity and thickness of the anode under the operating condition (at $650^{\circ}C$ and working pressure of more than 2 $kg_f/cm^2$). Recently, Ni-Al alloy anode has been proposed to replace the conventional Ni-Cr anode as an alternative material to resist a creep and inhibit the sintering. The objective of this research is to sinter the green sheet of Ni-Al alloy anode during single cell pre-treatment process, which has several advantages like cost down and simplification of manufacturing process. However, the Ni-Al alloy anode prepared with a conventional pre-treatment process showed the phase separation of Ni-Al alloy and formation of micropore(${\leqq}0.4{\mu}m$), resulting in low creep resistance and high electrolyte re-distribution. In order to prevent the Ni-Al alloy anode from phase-separating, nitrogen gas was used in the process of pre-treatment. Introducing the nitrogen, the phase separation from Ni-Al alloy into nickel and alumina was minimized and increased creep resistance. However, there was some micropore formation on the surface of Ni-Al alloy anode during the cell operation due to creation of lithium aluminate. Addition of more amount of electrolyte into a cell, especially at cathode, made the cell performance stable for 2,000 hrs. Consequently, it was possible to make the Ni-Al alloy anode with good creep resistance by the modified in-situ sintering technique.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.405-412
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• 2012

In the MCFC power generation system, the combustor supplies a high temperature mixture of gases to the cathode and heat to the reformer by using the off-gas from the anode; the off-gas includes high concentrations of $H_2O$ and $CO_2$. Since a combustor needs to be operated in a very lean condition and avoid local heating, a catalytic combustor is usually adopted. Catalytic combustion is also generally accepted as one of the environmentally preferred alternatives for generation of heat and power from fossil fuels because of its complete combustion and low emissions of pollutants such as CO, UHC, and $NO_x$. In this study, experiments were conducted on catalytic combustion behavior in the presence of Pd-based catalysts for the BOP (Balance Of Plant) of 5 kW MCFC (Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell) power generation systems. Extensive investigations were carried out on the catalyst performance with the gaseous $CH_4$ fuel by changing such various parameters as $H_2$ addition, inlet temperature, excess air ratio, space velocity, catalyst type, and start-up schedule of the pilot system adopted in the BOP.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.134-134
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• 2010

Fuel cell is a device that directly converts chemical energy in the form of a fuel into electrical energy by way of an electrochemical reaction. In the anode for a high temperature fuel cell, nickel or nickel alloy has been used in consideration of the cost, oxidation catalystic ability of hydrogen which is used as fuel, electron conductivity, and high temperature stability in reducing atmosphere. Most MCFC stacks currently operate at an average temperature of $650^{\circ}C$. There is some gains with decreased temperature in MCFC to diminish the electrolyte loss from evaporation and the material corrosion, which could improve the MCFC life. However, operating temperature has a strong related on a number of electrode reaction rates and ohmic losses. Baker et al. reported the effect of temperature (575 to $650^{\circ}C$). The rates of cell voltage loss were 1.4mV/$^{\circ}C$ for a reduction in temperature from 650 to $600^{\circ}C$, and 2.16mV/$^{\circ}C$ for a decrease from 600 to $575^{\circ}C$. The two major contributors responsible for the change in cell voltage with reducing operation temperature are the ohmic polarization and electrode polarization. It appears that in the temperature range of 550 to $650^{\circ}C$, about 1/3 of the total change in cell voltage with decreasing temperature is due to an increase in ohmic polarization, and the electrode polarization at the anode and cathode. In addition, the oxidation reaction of hydrogen on an ordinary nickel alloy anode in MCFC is generally considered to take place in the three phase zone, but anyway the area contributing to this reaction is limited. Therefore, in order to maintain a high performance of the fuel cell, it is necessary to keep this reaction responsible area as wide as possible, that is, it is needed to keep the porosity and specific surface area of the anode at a high level. In this study effective anodes are prepared for low temperature MCFC capable of enhancing the cell performance by using zirconium hydride at least in part of anode material.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.133.2-133.2
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• 2010

현재 융융탄산염 연료전지의 공기극으로 다공성의 lithiated NiO를 사용하고 있는데 이 재료의 경우 크게 두 가지의 문제점을 안고 있다. 첫 번째는 Ni이 전해질 내로 용해하는 것이고, 두 번째는 낮은 활성으로 인한 높은 공기극의 분극이다. Ni이 전해질로 용해되는 문제는 Co나 Fe를 코팅하여 공기극 표면에 $Li_x(Ni_yCo_{1-y})1-xO_2$나 $Li_x(Ni_yFe_{1-y})_{1-x}O_2$를 형성시켜 NiO의 전해질 내로 용해되는 것을 억제하는 방법이나 ZnO, MgO, $La_2O_3$ 등의 산화물을 NiO 표면에 코팅하여 전해질과 접촉을 막는 방식으로 해결하는 등 많은 연구가 이루어져 왔다. 하지만 연료극의 비해 상당히 높은 공기극의 분극으로 인해 큰 전압손실이 일어나 용융탄산염 연료전지 성능이 낮아지는 문제의 경우 이를 해결하고자 하는 연구는 상대적으로 많이 진행되지 못한 상태이다. 특히 현재 용융탄산염 연료전지의 장기수명화를 위해 기존의 작동온도인 $650^{\circ}C$ 보다 다소 낮은 온도인 $600{\sim}620^{\circ}C$에서 작동하려는 움직임이 있다. 작동 온도가 내려가면 전해질이 휘발되는 속도가 낮아져 전해질 부족에 따른 운전시간이 줄어드는 문제를 해결할 수 있어 장기 수명화를 위해서는 작동온도를 낮추는 것이 매우 유리하다. 하지만 작동 온도가 내려가면서 양 전극에서 일어나는 전기화학 반응 속도가 느려지기 때문에 각 전극에서의 활성화 분극으로 인한 전압손실은 더욱 커질 수밖에 없다. 특히 연료극의 수소산화반응 속도는 공기극의 산소환원반응에 비해 매우 빠르기 때문에 작동 온도가 내려감에 따라 연료극의 분극이 커지는 것에 비해 공기극의 분극이 급격히 커지게 된다. 따라서 운전온도가 낮아지는 상황에서는 낮은 작동온도에서도 성능감소가 적게 일어나 0.8V 이상 운전(150mA/$cm^2$, 단위전지 기준)이 가능한 공기극의 개발이 매우 필요한 실정이다. 이를 해결하고자 본 연구에서는 고체 산화물 연료전지의 공기극의 재료로 많이 연구되고 있는 혼합전도성 물질의 페로브스카이트 구조의 물질을 기존 NiO 전극에 코팅하여 새로운 공기극을 개발하였다. 페로브스카이트 구조의 물질로 대표적인 LSCF 물질을 사용하였으며 LSCF를 코팅한 공기극을 이용한 단위전지에서 150mA/$cm^2$의 전류를 흘려주었을 때 0.84V의 성능을 1000hr 유지하였다. 이는 기존의 NiO 전극을 사용했을 때보다 15~20mV 높은 값이다. 낮은 작동온도에서도 좋은 성능을 보였는데, 기존의 NiO 전극의 경우 $630^{\circ}C$에서 0.79V의 성능을 보인 반면 LSCF가 코팅된 공기극의 경우 $620^{\circ}C$에서 0.811V의 매우 좋은 성능을 보였다. 이는 LSCF의 산소이온전도성 및 전기전도성이 공기극에서의 분극을 낮추어 성능을 증가시키는 것으로 보인다.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2015

Hydrogen production from commercial diesel fuels is an attactive option for energy generation purpose due to the low cost and good availability of diesel fuels. However, in order to utilize commercial diesel fuels, the sulfur contents must be removed down to approximately 0.1 ppm level to protect the fuel cell catalysts from poisoning. Commercial catalysts $CoMo/Al_2O_3$ and $NiMo/Al_2O_3$ were tested for HDS (Hydrodesulfurization) of model diesel and commercial diesel. The experimental conditions were $250-400^{\circ}C$ and LHSV (Liquid Hourly Space Velocity) $0.27-2.12hr^{-1}$. $NiMo/Al_2O_3$ was found to be more effective than $CoMo/Al_2O_3$ in removing sulfur from model diesel. Based on the experimental results of model diesel, commercial diesel fuel purchased from a local petrol station was tested for HDS using $NiMo/Al_2O_3$. The GC-SCD (Gas Chromatography Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector) results showed that the DMDBT (Dimethyldibenzothiophene) derivatives were fully removed from the commercial diesel fuel proving that HDS with $NiMo/Al_2O_3$ is technically feasible for industrial applications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.657-666
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• 2022

The International Maritime Organization(IMO) recommends the active implementation of national policies on technological development and energy efficiency to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) in the international shipping sector. Such IMO environmental regulation policies have a great impact on the entire shipping sector and are also a heavy burden on ship's owners. The most reasonable way to curb GHG emissions from ships comes down to the development of zero-emission ships. In other words, the development of a fuel cell ship (FCS) driven by an eco-friendly fuel is an alternative that can escape the IMO regulations. Countries in Asia, Northern America, and Europe independently develop and produce PEMFC, and are pursuing international standardization by acquiring approval in principle from an internationally accredited registration authority. Currently, there are three types of fuel cells (FC) that are recommended for ships: a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), and a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). In this study, PEMFC, which is expected to grow continuously in the global FC market, was analyzed domestic and international development trends, specifications, performance, and empirical cases applied to ships. In addition, when applying PEMFC to ships, it was intended to suggest matters to be considered and the development direction.