Integration of a Natural Gas Fuel Processor for Residential PEM Fuel Cell Based Micro Cogeneration Application

Fuel cell based cogeneration systems, which supply thermal energy and electricity simultaneously, are very promising for the near future commercial stationary applications, especially for residential power generation. The natural gas is the most suitable fuel for this application due to existing infrastructure and cost. The aim of this paper is to summarize the achievements of natural gas processor integration within “Fuel Cell based Micro Cogeneration System” project which is supported under TUBITAK Support Programme for Research Projects of Public Institutions. In this project 5 kWe and 30 kWt power are produced by fuel cell and catalytic combustion systems respectively. Sub systems such as fuel processing for hydrogen production, catalytic combustion, PEM fuel cell, power conditioning and control systems have been designed, manufactured and integrated for cogeneration application. Then a test program for the operation of the system has been performed. This paper presents the main experimental results on autothermal reforming of natural gas and gas clean-up systems concerning the requirements of PEM fuel cell system. It has been found that design parameters of the fuel processor were very important but operational parameters of the system were crucial for system performance.