LOTUS

Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for micro-CHP applications

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

Since the requirements of micro-CHP systems in the European Union are becoming clearer, the technologies to reach these goals are emerging steadily. The high intrinsic electrical efficiency and the capability to be directly connected to existing heating circuits, make solid oxide fuel cells a preferred choice for this application. This proposal describes the project to build a prototype of a new generation SOFC system based on novel materials, which can run at significantly lower temperatures than today. The lower temperatures provide the opportunity to use less expensive materials and still increase the reliability of the components and thus of the whole system. State-of-the-art SOFC systems operate at much higher temperatures, which causes severe issues on degradation and limited lifetime of the materials. The novel materials will eliminate those problems and will also give a higher stability against reduction-oxidation cycles of the electrodes, bringing the technology a step further towards commercialisation.

The objective of the LOTUS project is to build and test a Low Temperature SOFC system prototype based on new SOFC technology combined with low cost, mass-produced, proven components. The use of a modular concept and design practices from the heating appliances industry will reduce maintenance and repair downtime and costs of the system.

The consortium gathered to work in this project is a combination of partners who have experience in:

1. Defining the market requirements 2. Translating these requirements into technical specifications and models 3. Design and build a prototype system 4. Test and validate the system 5. Bringing the technology to market

This covers the whole value chain of the system under discussion.

The final result is a working prototype of the system, which shows that it is able to run in a laboratory environment mimicking real-life use, and is robust enough to be ready for the next phase of field trials

Introduzione (Teaser)

Re-capturing heat released during electricity production increases efficiency significantly. Scientists are developing fuel cell technology for electricity production to eliminate emissions associated with combustion of fossil fuels.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Combined heat and power (CHP) systems integrate the production of heat and electricity in one process by recapturing useful heat that is wasted in conventional electricity generation. Micro-CHP systems for homes and buildings typically use natural gas as the fuel in an internal combustion engine.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are a promising alternative to combustion but face issues of cost and reliability in part related to very high operating temperatures. Scientists initiated the EU-funded project 'Low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells for micro-CHP applications' (LOTUS) to develop state-of-the-art SOFC technology operating at the lowest possible 'high' temperature (around 650 degrees Celsius) to optimise benefits. Short- and medium-term fuel will be natural gas whereas in the long-term hydrogen will be the fuel of choice.

Within the first 18 months of the project, the consortium successfully developed materials leading to higher SOFC performance at lower temperatures. Based on preliminary results, a full stack is being built for testing and introduction to a prototype in the next phase. Scientists developed a model of conditions during full-power and some start-up cases.

Outputs were used to create a piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) using a modular concept from the heating appliances industry to reduce maintenance and repair downtime and costs. Of particular importance was development of a dual fuel burner. Scientists designed it to operate as an anode tail gas oxidiser to burn hydrogen and carbon monoxide and as a start-up burner using natural gas as the fuel. The first prototype is being tested and has been shown to successfully burn both hydrogen and natural gas.

LOTUS technology should enhance the durability while reducing the cost of SOFC stacks, making them attractive for use with micro-CHP plants. Using fuel cells to generate both heat and electricity for homes combines emissions- free electricity production with efficient recapture of heat for a very attractive, sustainable, clean-energy solution for residential buildings.