The Use of Direct Carbon Fuel Cells in Compact Energy Systems for the Generation of Electricity, Heat and Cold

Robert Zarzycki, Andrzej Kacprzak and Zbigniew Bis
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Robert Zarzycki: Department of Energy Engineering, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, Brzeźnicka 60a, 42-201 Częstochowa, Poland
Andrzej Kacprzak: Department of Energy Engineering, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, Brzeźnicka 60a, 42-201 Częstochowa, Poland
Zbigniew Bis: Department of Energy Engineering, Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Czestochowa University of Technology, Brzeźnicka 60a, 42-201 Częstochowa, Poland

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: The study presents a concept and calculations concerning the operation of the direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) with molten hydroxide electrolyte (MH-DCFC) as the basic source of electricity integrated with heat and cool air generation systems. The technology of direct carbon fuel cells assumes the direct use of a carbon fuel (such as fossil coal, carbonized biomass, graphite, coke etc.) to generate electricity with high efficiency and low impact on the environment. These cells operate by utilizing carbon fuel in the range of temperatures of 673–973 K and allow for generation of electricity with an efficiency of about 56%. In order to improve the fuel conversion efficiency, the heat generated in the process of cell cooling can be used to prepare hot water, for heating during the heating season, while during the summer period, heat from cooling of the direct carbon fuel cells can be utilized in the process of cool air production (chilled air) using absorption chillers for e.g. air conditioning. This paper presents a case study and simulation calculations of the system composed of MH-DCFC that generates electricity, and runs heat exchangers and an absorption chiller, integrated with the fuel cell to generate heating and cooling for improving the efficiency of the whole system. The maximum heat and cool streams that can be obtained during the operation of the cell were also evaluated. The results obtained in the study can be helpful in the design of autonomous buildings equipped in direct carbon fuel cells as sources of electricity integrated with the systems of heat and cool generation.

Keywords: direct carbon fuel cell; cogeneration; trigeneration; absorption chillers; heating; electricity generation; energy storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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