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Design and Control of an Integrated Bio-Ethanol Processor with PEMFC

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PEM Fuel Cells with Bio-Ethanol Processor Systems

Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

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Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to present the important aspects of the synthesis of an integrated bio-ethanol processor plant for hydrogen production with proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems. It is based on performing a proper energy integration to determine the operating point of maximum efficiency. A large review about the different techniques for obtaining hydrogen from bio-ethanol is investigated to justify the selection of a process based on steam reforming, followed by high- and low-temperature shift reactors and preferential oxidation, coupled to a fuel cell. Applying simulation techniques with HYSYS commercial software and using its specific thermodynamic models, the performance of the complete system has been evaluated for a variety of operating conditions. These models involve mass and energy balances, chemical equilibrium and feasible heat transfer conditions. The main operating points of the variables were determined for those conditions where the endothermic nature of the reformer has a significant effect on the overall system efficiency. Then, a heuristic procedure for defining a preliminary control structure is applied via a sensitivity analysis, evaluating controllability aspects for the most critical disturbances and considering the main objectives of the process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CAPEG-CIFASIS-(CONICET-UNR-UPCAM), 27 de Febrero 210 bis, S2000EZP, Rosario, Argentina

    L. Nieto Degliuomini & M. Basualdo

  2. CAPEG-Chemical Engineering Department, FRRo-UTN, Zeballos 1341, S2000BQA, Rosario, Argentina

    S. Biset & M. Basualdo

Authors
  1. L. Nieto Degliuomini
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  2. S. Biset
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  3. M. Basualdo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Basualdo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ciencias de la Información y de Sistemas, CIFASIS-(CONICET-UNR-UPCAM)-UTN, de Febrero 27210 bis, Rosario, 2000, Argentina

    Marta S. Basualdo

  2. CIFASIS-(CONICET-UNR-UPCAM), de Febrero 27210 bis, Rosario, 2000, Argentina

    Diego Feroldi

  3. Labo. Sciences de l'Information et des, Sytèmes (LSIS), CNRS UMR 6168, avenue Escadrille Normandie-Niemen, Marseille CX 20, 13397, France

    Rachid Outbib

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Degliuomini, L.N., Biset, S., Basualdo, M. (2012). Design and Control of an Integrated Bio-Ethanol Processor with PEMFC. In: Basualdo, M., Feroldi, D., Outbib, R. (eds) PEM Fuel Cells with Bio-Ethanol Processor Systems. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-184-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-184-4_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84996-183-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84996-184-4

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