Hybrid fuel cell/gas turbine systems provide an efficient means of producing electricity from fossil fuels with ultra low emissions. However, there are many significant challenges involved in integrating the fuel cell with the gas turbine and other components of this type of system. The fuel cell and the gas turbine must maintain efficient operation and electricity production while protecting equipment during perturbations that may occur when the system is connected to the utility grid or in stand-alone mode. This paper presents recent dynamic simulation results from two laboratories focused on developing tools to aid in the design and dynamic analyses of hybrid fuel cell systems. The simulation results present the response of a carbonate fuel cell/gas turbine, or molten carbonate fuel cell/gas turbine, (MCFC/GT) hybrid system to a load demand perturbation. Initial results suggest that creative control strategies will be needed to ensure a flexible system with wide turndown and robust dynamic operation.

Issue Section:
Gas Turbines: Cycle Innovations
Keywords:
hybrid power systems, molten carbonate fuel cells, gas turbines, fuel cell power plants, power system control, power system simulation, robust control, dynamic response
Topics:
Fuel cells, Fuels, Gas turbines, Molten carbonate fuel cells, Temperature, Turbines, Flow (Dynamics), Stress, Simulation, Design, Heat exchangers
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Copyright © 2006
 by ASME
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