Microcombustion for micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cell power and heat cogeneration

Ryan J. Milcarek, Hisashi Nakamura, Takuya Tezuka, Kaoru Maruta, Jeongmin Ahn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Flame-assisted fuel cell (FFC) studies have been limited to lower fuel-rich equivalence ratios (∼1–1.7, due to the upper flammability limit and sooting limit) where only small concentrations of H2 and CO can be generated in the exhaust. In this work, a non-catalytic microcombustion based FFC is proposed for direct use of hydrocarbons for power generation. The potential for high FFC performance (450 mW cm−2 power density and 50% fuel utilization) in propane/air microcombustion exhaust is demonstrated. The micro flow reactor is investigated as a fuel reformer for equivalence ratios from 1 to 5.5. One significant result is that soot formation in the micro flow reactor is not observed at equivalence ratios from 1 to 5.5 and maximum wall temperatures ranging from 750 to 900 °C. Soot formation is observed at higher wall temperatures of 950 °C and 1000 °C and equivalence ratios above 2.5. H2 and CO concentrations in the exhaust are found to have a strong temperature dependence that varies with the maximum wall temperature and the local flame temperature.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)191-197
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume413
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2019

Keywords

  • Flame-assisted fuel cell (FFC)
  • Micro flow reactor
  • Micro heat and power cogeneration
  • Microcombustion
  • Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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