Performance design analysis of hybrid systems combining atmospheric pressure molten carbonate fuel cell and gas turbine

Design performance of hybrid power generation systems, comprised of a gas turbine and an atmospheric pressure molten carbonate fuel cell, has been analyzed. Two different configurations were analyzed and performances were compared. A reference calculation was performed for the design condition of a system under development and simulated results agreed well with the published data. Performances were analyzed in terms of main design parameters including turbine inlet temperature, operating temperature of the fuel cell and pressure ratio. Also examined were the effects of fuel utilization factor and heat exchanger effectiveness. It was found that the relationship between the turbine inlet temperature and the fuel cell temperature should be critically examined to evaluate achievable design performance. Considering current state of the art technologies, a system with the combustor located before the turbine could achieve higher efficiency and specific power than the other system with the combustor located after the turbine