Flow Field simulations for a long lasting Stack
Fuel Cells are, in a nutshell, a REDOX reactor where a chemical reaction takes place. Therefore the correct distribution of reactants through the fuel cell is critical for a smooth operation. As a partner of the Grasshopper project, ZBT has focused a lot of effort on the design of optimal flow distribution. Including practical tests in their facilities in Duisburg, and very intensive 3D CFD flow field simulations.
This time, we want to share some of the results achieved on this topic. Specifically regarding the evolution of the flow in the channels when a blockage occurs. PEM fuel cells work at a reduced temperature, usually, around 70ºC degrees. This means that the produced water may condensate inside the channels of the stack, blocking the flow of Hyrodgen or Air in it. This could lead to fuel starvation, damaging the membrane where the reaction takes place. Therefore reducing the efficiency and life expectancy of the stacks.
A correct design of the channels and the GDL (Gas diffusion layer) are critical to mitigate this problem, and simulations are a great tool to reduce iterations and tests which are usually more expensive. In partnership with AVL, ZBT has carried out detailed 3D simulations of individual cells. Providing important information for the whole stack and the design of the flow field.
The results of the simulation show good promise towards developing a stack for maximized life expectancy. With a considerably reduced blockage impact of the condensate water in the channel flow. With this, Grasshopper is a step closer to reduce the Levelized costs of electricity produced on Hydrogen Fuel Cells in stationary applications.
Don’t forget to check more about this in the ZBT and AVL website.
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The Grasshopper pilot plant is ready for testing!
Last month, the construction of the Pilot Plant was completed! And at last, We moved it to Abengoa’s testing facilities in the port of Seville for the next phase. This is a major milestone towards the project’s success, and we are very eager to share it.
As we have mentioned before, check this post about containerized solutions, the plant can be easily transported and deployed at any location. The workshop where the plant was built was also located in Seville, so this transport only lasted about 30 mins through the outskirts of the city. But the process is identical if transported for very long distances.
Next month, Factory Acceptance Tests, or FAT for short, will begin in Abengoa’s testing facilities. Where many other technical innovation projects have also seen the light. Starting with IO Testing, following with circuit tests, or control loops adjustment among others, the pilot plant will be ready to receive the Fuel Cell stacks later this year. We will be sharing more about the FAT and how the tests are progressing along the road. For now, We hope you enjoy this video about the Grasshopper Pilot Plant transport!
Periodic Consortium Meeting, Seville 2020
Like every 6 months, and as the construction of the pilot plant continues, the periodic consortium meeting took place. This time in Abengoa’s HQ in Seville in February 2020 from the 25th to the 27th. After reviewing the status of the project, the meeting was especially packed with lots of technical details and 1-on-1 discussions between the partners. Since the testing phase approaches, there were many details to go through together. And there is no better opportunity than a presential meeting. Some of the key aspects were the Grasshopper stacks development and the pilot plant construction. We also continued exploring the market applications for the resulting product. A process that started back at our consortium meeting in Duisburg last year.
This time the chosen location was Seville, Abengoa’s Headquarters, where the construction of the pilot plant was taking place. Not only to enjoy the much warmer winter weather of southern Spain but also to give the whole consortium an in-detail visit of the plant. We spent a good couple of hours in the workshop, inspecting and sharing details about the pilot plant and previous experiences. The construction will finish in the upcoming months. And finally, the testing period will commence!
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Because appearance matters, take a look at our exterior design
As we have discussed in a previous post, check it out here, there are many benefits of having our power plant inside a container. But one reason that was not talked much about, is that it can be easily disguised or beautifully displayed in public. Because there are no emissions and it has a reduced footprint, placing the plant in urban areas is more than possible. and for that, the plant needs to look good!
Of course, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to demonstrate this with the pilot plant. So we have installed a full-size vinyl that not only makes the plant look very aesthetically pleasing but also serves as publicity for Hydrogen and Green Energy sources. With a simple and cartoonish style, one can, in a glance, see the whole purpose of the project and the possible applications of the Hydrogen PEM power plants by looking at the container.
The previous images are the full design in the 3D model, first, and a real image of the container taken at the construction site prior to its completion, second. You can expect more of these pictures as the testing of the pilot plant begins in the following weeks!
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The 100kW Pilot Power Plant is under construction
As we approach the equator of the project, the construction of the 100kW pilot plant has begun. This is an important milestone for the project since many of the improvements designed on paper or laboratory scale will be tested and validated. But before we can do that, the pilot plant needs to be completed.
Like in the construction of any power plant, many different disciplines of engineering come together to create the final product. In our case, we have divided the construction into four main sections:
- Estructural: mostly regarding container refurbishment.
- Piping: equipment, instrumentation, etc.
- Electrical system: both the power conditioning system and auxiliaries.
- Control software development
With almost all engineering decisions made and 3D modeling ready, the construction can now begin. First, a standard shipping container will be modified to suit the project necessities. And once it is done, the installation of equipment and fabrication will continue until the plant is completed. Alongside the mechanical construction, the electrical system will also advance. All fitted into a 20 ft long container for rapid deployment and scalability. And lastly, the programming will put everything together, ready for a long period of testing.
We are looking forward to receiving the first feedback directly from our workshop. Each step will surely reveal important improvements to take into account for the final MW design. We will keep you updated as things progress in our workshop with some interesting facts and news about the pilot plant construction.
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Why containerized Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Plants make sense?
With the implementation of green energy alternatives and energy storage, there has been an increasing trend in using containerized solutions in those technologies that allow it. And not only Hydrogen PEM power plants, but many technologies have also joined this trend. One main reason for this is the great appeal of the “plug&play” philosophy, highly appreciated by the purchaser of the technology. But there is more than that for why a containerized Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Plants make sense, and we would like to share it with you.
Scalability
As the validation of the 100kW pilot plant finishes, We will carry out a MW scale design incorporating all the knowledge accumulated through testing. Even though the distribution of equipment inside may differ, the overall design doesn’t change much. In fact, the pilot plant has been designed for scalability. More power means increasing the number of stacks installed in the container. But since all stacks share the same design, it is a simple “copy-and-paste” process. Adding additional racks and gas distribution manifolds. Not all equipment scale at the same rate, therefore, space can be optimized with larger designs.
Modularity
In a similar fashion, when the MW design is optimized and containerized, increasing the power of the plant is as easy as using multiple containers. Modular systems can be built, shipped, and installed quickly. This is ideal for the current increasing demand for Zero Emissions power systems. With an adequate sizing of the Hydrogen supply line and grid connection, multiplying the power is as easy as installing another container next to the previous ones. Adding a higher layer of control, adequate interaction between each unit can be achieved for maximum performance and efficiency, or maximize the lifetime of PEM stacks.
Easy transportation and Plug&Play
Probably the most noticeable benefit of having the plant inside a standard container is easy transportation and its quick installation. And this provides important flexibility. Containerized Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Plants can be used in remote locations such as islands, mines, temporary buildings, encampments… Even as emergency generation units for many different applications such as data centers or hospitals. Providing a Zero emission alternative power source for such special needs. More and more of these plants are being installed in hard-to-reach places, or where the regular delivery of fuel has become prohibitive.
Not only that, but with a containerized solution, installation greatly simplifies. Forget about complex site preparations or connecting multiple units of different suppliers. Just drop the plant where you need it, connect the media and electrical interfaces and you are good to go. The electrical system, control architecture, and process, everything is packed inside. Since the container walls include these connections, no work, or minimal work, is needed inside the plant.
Last month, we finished the refurbishment of a standard shipping container to accommodate our needs. In the pilot plant, we have divided the container into two hermetically sealed sections. One for the electrical compartment and one for the process compartment. Media connections transverse the wall of the containers and junction boxes on the outside minimize the work inside.
The next question that arises with these units is regarding maintenance. Having all the equipment packed inside a container greatly reduces the footprint as we mentioned before, but it also reduces the available space for maintenance. This flaw can be overcome by designing an “extractable” unit. In case of a major maintenance operation, all equipment is pulled out of the container with a simple procedure. Then maintenance takes place outside.
Read MoreExploring the market applications of Grasshopper
On the week from 20 to 24 of May took place the last meeting of the consortium before beginning the construction of the 100kW pilot plant during this summer.
Read MoreGRASSHOPPER: Next generation of flexible and cost-effective MW-size Fuel Cell Power Plant
The GRASSHOPPER (GRid ASsiSting modular HydrOgen Pem PowER plant) project was officially kicked-off on the 9th and 10th January at the Akzo Nobel facilities located in Delfzijl, where the demonstration phase of the project will take place. All the consortium partners, the members of the Advisory Board and the Project and Financial officers from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking attended the event. At the kick-off the next steps for the first period were discussed, as well as the final demonstration.
INEA will coordinate the Grasshopper project, 36 months in length and a total budget of 4.4 M€, creating the next generation fuel cell power plants and demonstrating the flexible operation for grid support. The power plant uses green hydrogen and converts this into electricity and heat without emissions. With the variations in demand and consumption of energy from renewable sources such as sun and wind, a stable energy supply will rely more and more on flexible operation power plants.
The consortium consists, apart from INEA-Informatizacija Energetika Avtomatizacija, of Abengoa Innovación, S.A., Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells Limited (JMFC), Nedstack fuel cell technology B.V., Politecnico di Milano (Polimi) and Zentrum für Brennstoffzellen Technik Gmbh (ZBT).
The Advisory Board, consisting of members from Akzo Nobel Industrial Chemicals B.V, Tennet TSO B.V, SWW Wunsiedel and members of GOFLEX consortium, will be consulted during the project phase.
The innovative MEAs (membrane electrode assembly), stacks and fuel cell system will be developed through modelling, experiments and industrial experience by JMFC, ZBT and Nedstack. Abengoa Innovación will lead the design, construction and testing of a pilot plant. Polimi will provide support in the decision-making process through modelling activities and optimization. Implementation of the smart grid functionality into the FCPP control and grid integration will be done by INEA.
The demonstration unit will be installed in Delfzijl, where Akzo Nobel and Nedstack have been testing the fuel cell technology, connecting to the hydrogen by-product stream of the modern chlorine production facility.
This project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 779430. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe research.
For more information, you can visit http://www.fch.europa.eu/project/grid-assisting-modular-hydrogen-pem-power-plant
