2012 Contest Rules and Guidelines
 2012 Hydrogen Student Design Contest Official Rules and Guidelines
(Last Updated: February 28, 2012)
2012 Hydrogen Student Design Contest Official Rules and Guidelines (with track changes)
(Last Updated: February 28, 2012)
2012 Hydrogen Student Design Contest - Energy Savings and Environmental Analysis Guidelines)
(Last Updated: March 26, 2012)
CHHP Design Basis
(Last Updated: November 4, 2011)
Webcast Slides FCE
(Last Updated: November 4, 2011)
Q&A
(Last updated: March 9, 2012)
Anode Outlet Gas Composition Calculation Example
(Last updated: March 9, 2012)
Webinar Recording
Hydrogen Student Design Contest 2012 - Webinar on Rules & Guidelines from Hydrogen Education Foundation on Vimeo.
Question and Answers
Update Four (March 9, 2012)
Q49: Does the DFC have a pre-processing unit to deal with oxygen in the input fuel?
A: Yes, The DFC has a pre-processing unit which combusts the oxygen with methane prior to entering the fuel cell.
Q48: Is there an example Anode Outlet Gas (AOG) composition calculation available?
A: Yes, you can find it at http://hydrogencontest.com/pdf/AOG%20Composition%20Example.pdf.
Q47: What percentage downtime (on a yearly basis) can we assume for the DFC?
A: You should assume an uptime of 95% (on a yearly basis – 365 days). Thus the DFC has a 5% downtime.
Update Three (February 28, 2012)
Q46: Where can I find anode exhaust data?
A: Please refer to slide 11 of the FuelCell Energy slides located at http://www.hydrogencontest.org/pdf/Webcast%2011-4-2011%20FCE.pdf . Use the humid numbers, located in the left column.
Q45: Can you explain the difference between a simple cycle DFC system and the CHHP configuration?
A: Please refer to the CHHP basis document or slides 8 and 9 in the FCE slides document for this question. Both can be found at - http://www.hydrogencontest.org/pdf/Webcast%2011-4-2011%20FCE.pdf .
Q44: Where can I find general information for the DFC systems?
A: Please refer to the product brochures, which can be found at:
For the 300 - http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/dfc300ma.php
For the 1500 - http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/dfc1500ma.php
For the 3000 - http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/dfc3000.php
Please note: The numbers in the brochure are for a simple cycle DFC system, not a CHHP system. The data in the brochure is a good reference point; however make sure to consider how those values will be affected by the addition of hydrogen producing elements to the DFC system.
In the case when key data, such as anode exhaust gas temperature and pressure, fuel utilization and efficiency, has been provided by the Hydrogen Education Foundation for the CHHP system please use this data instead of the numbers found in the brochure.
Q43: Can we edit our Phase I report?
A: Yes, feel free to edit this section. Please note that the content of this section will not be graded again. However, the overall quality of the section will still be reflected in final scores since it will affect the quality of the writing and the consistency of information throughout the report.
Q42: Do I need to design the anode gas oxidizer?
A: No, this can be considered an internal element of the DFC.
Q41: What does “feeding electricity back to the grid” mean?
A: This is the process of selling the electricity created by the DFC back to the local electric company/authority which can then use it as they see fit. Please note that using the electricity created by the DFC system locally (at a specific campus site) is more efficient because it avoids the losses associated with transmission and distribution.
Q40: How detailed does the site plan need to be?
A: You need to include every element of the system. This includes supply systems such as pipelines and pumps, as well as electrical interconnections (transmission lines). Also, in the site plan you need to specify where the electricity created by the DFC will be consumed (at a local building, for a specific purpose at one or more building or sold back to the grid).
Q39: What do we need to include for the mechanical supply system(s), electrical supply system(s) and safety equipment sections of the technical design?
A: These are general terms for many different possible systems that are necessary to make your CHHP system function properly. Thus, they will vary depending on the specifics of your design.
A few examples are pumps/pipelines for mechanical supply systems, transmission lines for electrical supply and pressure monitoring/safety valves for hydrogen compression systems (safety system example).
Update Two (February 7, 2012)
Q38: Does the DFC require a supplemental fuel resource?
A: It is important to have a supplemental fuel option in case your feedstock (anaerobic digester gas, landfill gas ...) runs out. The supplemental fuel could be natural gas or stored excess feedstock. The most important thing is to make sure you have enough fuel in order to run the DFC 3000 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (the DFC is a base-load power plant).
The DFC3000, for example, requires a constant flow of 362 standard cubic feet per minute of natural gas (at 930 btu per feet cubed - this is an energy density). You can adjust the input flow rate based on the energy density of your chosen feedstock fuel.
Q37: Is it possible to take out a portion of hydrogen from the DFC for external use (i.e. fueling hydrogen cars)?
A: Yes, this is what the fuel utilization rate refers to. We have asked you to assume the fuel utilization rate is 65%, which means 35% of the input fuel could be used for, as in the example, fueling hydrogen cars.
Q36: How much do the DFC systems cost?
A: The product cost is:
- DFC300 $3,500/kW or $1.05 MM total
- DFC1500 $2,400/kW or $3.36 MM total
- DFC3000 $2,300/kW or $6.44 MM total
Q35: What can we assume the discount rate for the technology is?
A: Assume a discount rate of 2% per year.
Q34: What kind of maintenance does the DFC require and what are the associated costs?
A: The major maintenance item for the DFC is fuel cell rejuvenation, refreshing of the fuel desulfurizers, changing fresh air filter, etc. The combined cost of all maintenance items should be taken as 3cents/kW-Hr. This includes all costs associated with operating the plant except fuel cost.
Q33: During start-up does the DFC require a power input?
A: Yes. So long as you have the correct interconnection for the DFC and your local electric grid you can assume that the DFC draws power from the grid during start-up. For the purpose of your analysis you should focus on the steady state case (when the DFC is supplying base-load power to the grid).
Q32: What are the exhaust gas pressure and temperature characteristics?
A: Outlet pressure is 1 psig and outlet temperature is 600 degrees Celsius.
Q31: What are the inlet gas pressure requirements?
A: Inlet fuel pressure should be between 15 - 20 psig.
Q30: What do MBOP and EBOP stand for and are we required to design these?
A: They stand for mechanical balance of plant and electrical balance of plant. You do not need to design these for any elements internal to the DFC. You may however need to include balance of plant elements for the hydrogen purifications and CO2 recycling systems.
Q29: What is the methane to water ratio at the inlet?
A: The water to methane ratio is 2 to 1.
Q28: Do we have to design the water-gas shift reactor?
A: Yes you need to design or spec out every element necessary for hydrogen separation, purification and storage. Students, also, need to ensure that they return the CO2 from the anode exhaust gas to the cathode so that the fuel cell reaction continues. Slide 10 of the FCE slides provides an example of a CHHP system.
Q27: Should I use the humid or dry-shifted anode exhaust gas outlet data (these are located on slide 11 of the FCE slides)?
A: Please use the humid numbers (left column). The dry shifted numbers are specific to the FCE Fountain Valley CHHP system.
Q26: What are the limits on sulfur and carbon monoxide in the DFC fuel?
A: All sulfur, such as hydrogen sulfide in biogas, should be kept under 30 parts per billion. Carbon monoxide does not need to be limited since the DFC is a molten carbonate fuel cell.
Update One (January 10, 2012)
Q25: How fast can the DFC stop and start?
A: The DFC can go from no load to full load in a few hours. However, it is not meant to cycle. The DFC and fuel supply system should be designed and operated so the DFC can stay on continuous load, although while on load the fuel may be changed from Biogas to Natural Gas and back to Biogas within a matter of minutes.
Q24: Can I control the power output by controlling the fuel flow rate?
A: No, as specified above the DFC system is not meant to cycle. The hydrogen by-product can however be used in a PEMFC peaking system in order to meet variations in the electrical loads.
Q23: What is the simple cycle efficiency of the DFC?
A: This is the conversion efficiency of the DFC which has been discounted for all DFC internal parasitic loads. Please note the simple cycle efficiency is not discounted for hydrogen purification loads. For phase II all teams should use a simple cycle efficiency of 45%.
Q22: What is fuel utilization in regards to the DFC?
A: Fuel utilization is the amount of fuel consumed at the anode of the DFC system. For phase II all teams should assume a fuel utilization rate of 65%. For the actual DFC-CHHP system this number varies between 65-68 % in order to help balance the plants heat loads. For this analysis it is acceptable to assume the 65% in order to be consistent with the anode exhaust data provided.
Q21: Is the H2 separator an internal part of the DFC?
A: No, the hydrogen separator is not internal. You will need to design or spec out this system on your own.
Q20: How does the methane content of a biogas or syngas affect the DFC efficiency?
A: With Biogas, methane is diluted in carbon dioxide, and there is no impact on efficiency within the fuel specification (up to 40% CO2 in methane). Syngas from steam reforming of coal creates a mixture too rich in hydrogen, too lean in methane, under normal process conditions to enter into the DFC. It should be methanated or converted so that the methane content is at least 50% on a dry basis (50% CH4 in H2 and CO2). If there is too much hydrogen the effect is not on efficiency, but rather DFC output may be limited due to reduced cooling from internal fuel reforming.
Q19: Can you clarify FuelCell Energy Slide 13 (entitled Hydrogen Energy Station - Fountain Valley, California - these slides can be found at http://www.hydrogencontest.org/pdf/Webcast%2011-4-2011%20FCE.pdf )?
A: The co-product numbers refers to the amount of heat, hydrogen and power the plants produce for that specific site. Please do not use any of this data in your analysis, as it is specific to the complete CHHP system in Fountain Valley. The peaker capacity refers to a PEMFC peaking system which runs eight hours per day on the co-produced H2 from the DFC system. The refuelling capacity is # of cars that can be refuelled per day based on the assumption that said vehicles consume .5 kg/day.
Q18: Should we use the metric or imperial measurement system?
A: Please use the metric system.
Original Q+A
Q17: Do we get participation certificates?
A: We are currently working on developing possible certificates for participation. You should have received your participation certificate in the last few weeks.
Q16: What is electrochemical hydrogen separator?
A: It separates the hydrogen from the waste stream so that it can be used, for example, in a fuel cell vehicle.
Q15: If I have questions about the DFC system who can I contact?
A: There is no official FuelCell Energy contact. Please send all questions to the Hydrogen Education Foundations. That said, we encourage you to reach out to industry experts for inspiration.
Q14: What kind of input fuel the DFC able to use?
A: A variety of hydrocarbon fuels, which includes propane, natural gas and biogas. More specific data on input fuel quality is being compiled and we will pass that data along to the participants once it is received.
Q13: Is FuelCell Energy going to provide the teams with the cost of the three systems?
A: We are in the process of getting more precise cost data and that data will be passed along to students as soon as we receive it.
Q12: Is there a page limit for Phase 1 report? Will it be judged?
A: There is a two page limit. Both phase one and two will be judged. The impact, phase one has on the final grading is minimal compared to phase two. However, a strong phase one report is an important stepping stone to strong phase two and overall report.
Q11: What is the difference between the net power and gross power in the DFC (in kW)?
A: Net power is equal to the gross power minus parasitic loads. Thus the difference for the entire process will vary depending highly on the power demands of your purification system. An example can be found in the slideshow found at www.hydrogencontest.org. Furthermore, we are currently waiting on specific data on the gross and net power of the DFC system alone (be careful this data does not include loads caused by purification) and this data will be sent to students once it is received.
Q10: In the DFC, what happens to the remaining CH4 at the anode exhaust?
A: It will either be burnt in the anode gas oxidizer or recycled to the cathode.
Q9: For financial analysis, can we work in local currency, or must we use USD?
A: So that there is consistency between reports final submissions must be in USD. However, please feel free work in local currency as well.
Q8: What is expected to be included in the abstract? Should we strictly adhere to the abstract for the final design?
A: Expectations for the abstract can be found in the project guidelines. You do not have to strictly adhere to your abstract for the final report.
Q7: Are we encouraged to use facilities unique to our campus, or would a design with a more general applicability score better?
A: The design should be for your campus or a renewable feedstock nearby your university. One of the main goals of the project is to create a feasible design that could be constructed on your campus in the near future.
Q6: Does the abstract due on Nov. 15th affect our teams score?
A: The abstract does not affect the team score.
Q5: Is the total 200 points or 300 points?
A: The total is 200 points.
Q4: Can we download recording of the webinar?
A: Yes, at www.hydrogencontest.org.
Q3: Would it be possible to post an updated rules and guidelines document?
A: An update was posted on November 1st and a further update will be posted by November 14th. The new update will address specific questions and concerns which have been sent to the Hydrogen Education Foundation.
Q2: Are we limited to one type of unit?
A: You may use any combination of the 300, 1500, 3000 so long your system is sized to handle the amount and rate at which your feedstock is produced.
Q1: What does HEX stand for?
A: Heat Exchanger. |
