A dynamic fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid simulation methodology to establish control strategies and an improved balance of plant

The call for the development of clean and efficient power plants for future electrical power generation is becoming a common theme in today's society. Fuel cell and fuel cell/gas turbine systems are seen as the solution for requirements and goals that future power plants demand. Fuel cell systems and especially fuel cell/gas turbine systems are still in the early research stages. For the transient behavior of the fuel cell/gas turbines systems, complex and thorough studies are needed in order to understand and identify important characteristics of the system. In this research, a methodology has been developed that will allow comprehensive studies of the dynamic physical behavior of these fuel cell/gas turbine systems. In particular, the methodology provides the tools to enable dynamic analysis and control development for fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid systems. The methodology consists of numerical modeling and models that are derived from first principles. Basing the methodology on first principles provides a more robust and flexible platform upon which system analyses can be performed. This dissertation presents the development of the methodology along with the evaluation of both the methodology and the incorporated models. The methodology is evaluated by application to a hybrid fuel cell/gas turbine system and includes (1) the design of the control strategy, and (2) a demonstration of the utility and applicability of the methodology over a wide range of operation.