Development and Testing of the 3D Printed Plastic Ejector Prototype for the SOFC Anode Gas Recirculation

Autor: Yu. V. Volkova, V. A. Munts, M.I. Ershov
Rok vydání: 2018
Předmět:
Zdroj: 2018 International Multi-Conference on Industrial Engineering and Modern Technologies (FarEastCon).
DOI: 10.1109/fareastcon.2018.8602613
Popis: The article presents the results of research and development of the ejector for the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) power unit anode gas recirculation. The power unit nominal electric output totals 4 kW. The ejector flow channel geometry was developed for operation in the real SOFC power unit with the reforrner-SOFC anode channel pressure drop of 1470 Pa. The test bench for ejector testing was described. The ejector performance characteristic was plotted on the basis of Ansys Fluent simulations for non-combustible gases at room temperature using the default settings of the solver physical models. The 3D printed plastic ejector prototype was tested with non-combustible gases at room temperature. On the basis of the obtained performance characteristics, theoretical and experimental efficiency of the ejector for various operating modes was obtained. The theoretical results are in good qualitative agreement with experimental ones with the theoretical efficiency of the ejector higher than that of the real 3D printed prototype, which is accounted for the neglect of additional losses due to surface roughness while modelling in ANSYS Fluent. The maximum efficiency of the ejector prototype during the tests was obtained at the entrainment ratio of 2.5 and was equal to 7%. The data obtained can be instrumental for adjustment of the Ansys Fluent models and improving ejector efficiency in order to ensure its sustainable operation in systems with the high pressure drop.
Databáze: OpenAIRE