Operation optimization of Fuel Cell Power Plant with new method in thermal recovery using particle swarm algorithm

Fuel Cell Power Plant (FCPP) can be directly connected to a building to provide both power and heat with cogeneration efficiencies as high as 80%. In this method, in addition to electrical and thermal energy, hydrogen is obtained as a useful byproduct. In this paper, we have used Particle Swarm Optimization to minimize the cost function of such a model. There is two different ways to recover thermal energy of FCPP. In this paper we present new method and compare these three ways. This new method decreases daily operation cost of the system drastically. Also, the effect of different tariff for purchasing and selling electricity in each hour of a day is studied. For modeling the system we have chosen four parallel 68 kw PEM and a reformer with capacity of 100NH²/HR from BALLARD and MAHLER company respectively. The optimal strategy of system operation is determined by calculation of the following parameters: hourly generated power, recovered thermal power, power exchanged with the local grid, and the amount of produced hydrogen.