Plant-wide simulation of direct reforming molten carbonate fuel cell systems

A plant-wide simulation model for a molten carbonate fuel cell power plant is outlined in this paper. The simulator is being developed for intelligent control applications to fuel cell systems as distributed generators. The dominant thermodynamics and chemical reactions are modeled for the cell stack and balance-of-plant, including heat recovery unit and anode exhaust oxidizer. The model is based on a 2 MW demonstration plant that had been running on natural gas at the City of Santa Clara, CA, USA. The fuel cells in this design utilize direct reforming of methane gas through placement of internal reforming catalysts within the cells.