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Micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cells running methane, propane and butane: On soot, efficiency and power density

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  • Milcarek, Ryan J.
  • Ahn, Jeongmin

Abstract

A two-stage combustor with 1st-stage premixed fuel-rich combustion, integrated micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cell (FFC) and 2nd-stage, fuel-lean combustion is described. The current state of research in direct flame fuel cells (DFFCs) is assessed and the dilemma of obtaining high power density, high electrical efficiency and no soot is discussed. A method for deriving the maximum theoretical electrical efficiency from a FFC based system is developed. A method for comparing methane, propane and butane in the two-stage combustor with integrated FFC is developed. Methane, propane and butane are tested at different equivalence ratios and flow rates to assess the power density and electrical efficiency. High power density (>300 mW cm−2) and high electrical efficiency (>1.2%) are achieved for equivalence ratios below 1.6. Methane is found to achieve higher power density and electrical efficiency at lower equivalence ratios compared to propane and butane. Soot formation is avoided by operating below the critical sooting limit.

Suggested Citation

  • Milcarek, Ryan J. & Ahn, Jeongmin, 2019. "Micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cells running methane, propane and butane: On soot, efficiency and power density," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 776-782.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:169:y:2019:i:c:p:776-782
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.12.098
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Yuqing & Zeng, Hongyu & Cao, Tianyu & Shi, Yixiang & Cai, Ningsheng & Ye, Xiaofeng & Wang, Shaorong, 2016. "Start-up and operation characteristics of a flame fuel cell unit," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 415-421.
    2. Wang, Yuqing & Zeng, Hongyu & Shi, Yixiang & Cao, Tianyu & Cai, Ningsheng & Ye, Xiaofeng & Wang, Shaorong, 2016. "Power and heat co-generation by micro-tubular flame fuel cell on a porous media burner," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 117-123.
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    1. Ghotkar, Rhushikesh & Milcarek, Ryan J., 2020. "Investigation of flame-assisted fuel cells integrated with an auxiliary power unit gas turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    2. Chen, Yu & Lu, Minyi & Yang, Huazheng & Yao, Yingbang & Tao, Tao & Lu, Shengguo & Wang, Chao & Ramesh, Rajendran & Kendall, Michaela & Kendall, Kevin & Ouyang, Xiaoping & Liang, Bo, 2020. "80 Hours operation of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell using propane/air," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    3. Rhushikesh Ghotkar & Ellen B. Stechel & Ivan Ermanoski & Ryan J. Milcarek, 2020. "Hybrid Fuel Cell—Supercritical CO 2 Brayton Cycle for CO 2 Sequestration-Ready Combined Heat and Power," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-20, September.
    4. Milcarek, Ryan J. & DeBiase, Vincent P. & Ahn, Jeongmin, 2020. "Investigation of startup, performance and cycling of a residential furnace integrated with micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cells for micro-combined heat and power," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    5. Skabelund, B.B. & Milcarek, R.J., 2022. "Review of thermal partial oxidation reforming with integrated solid oxide fuel cell power generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    6. Brent B. Skabelund & Joseph Elio & Ryan J. Milcarek, 2021. "Techno-Economic Assessment of a Hybrid Gas Tank Hot Water Combined Heat and Power System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-21, November.

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