Options
Enforcing optimal operation in solid-oxide fuel-cell systems
Publikationstyp
Journal Article
Date Issued
2019-08-15
Sprache
English
Author(s)
de Avila Ferreira, Tafarel
Wuillemin, Zacharie
Salzmann, Christophe
Van herle, Jan
Journal
Volume
181
Start Page
281
End Page
293
Citation
Energy 181: 281-293 (2019-08-15)
Publisher DOI
Scopus ID
Publisher
Elsevier
This paper describes an optimization strategy for operating solid-oxide fuel-cell systems at optimal efficiency. Specifically, we present the experimental validation of a real-time optimization (RTO) strategy applied to a commercial solid-oxide fuel-cell system. The proposed RTO scheme effectively pushes the system to higher levels of efficiency and maintains the system there despite perturbations by tracking active constraints. The optimization approach uses either steady-state measurements, or transient measurements in combination with a dynamic model, and can deal effectively with plant-model mismatch. In the reported experiments, the approach drives the system to the desired power demand at optimal efficiency. The experimental fuel-cell system reached 65% DC electrical efficiency. As such, the proposed RTO scheme is a promising candidate for enforcing optimal micro-CHP operation. In addition, the approach can deal with slow drifts such as degradation without compromising on efficiency. Finally, and important from a practical point of view, we suggest guidelines for safe and optimal operation.
Subjects
Constraint adaptation
Optimal efficiency
Plant-model mismatch
Real-time optimization
SOFC system
Time-scale separation
DDC Class
530: Physics