Hot Anode Recirculation Pump for SOFC Systems

79184S Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) systems are being developed as small (~ 5 kW) to medium (250 kW) distributed power plants. These systems, which offer very good efficiencies and tremendous potential for combined heat and power situations, could benefit from the implementation of an anode recirculation pump (ARP). Presently, no such pump exists in a reasonable package because the pump inlet temperature for this application is very high (~900 C). This project will develop a small regenerative pump, driven by a brushless DC motor, to solve this problem. The key characteristic of the ARP will be a thermal choke that is used to separate the hot process flow from the temperature sensitive drive components such as bearings, magnets, electronics, and motor windings. Phase I will design and test the thermal choke, evaluate and test best sealing approaches, develop integration of controller and motor, and develop a full solid model of final prototype pump. These tasks will involve early analysis followed by component testing. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The anode recirculation should be applicable to either small or medium class SOFC systems, which could be competitive in residential and small industrial power, and in transportation (trucks and other large vehicles). In addition to SOFC systems, the pump technology could find use in other industries where very hot gases are being transported, for example semi-conductor manufacturing and industrial processing.