SK Ecoplant, Fuel Cell High Heat for Building Cooling and Heating

Patent Acquired for Heating and Cooling System Using Fuel Cell Arrays

SK ecoplant has succeeded in developing a heating and cooling system using solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC).

On the 21st, SK ecoplant announced that it has filed and obtained a patent for a high-efficiency integrated absorption heating and cooling system utilizing fuel cell arrays in collaboration with Samjung Tech, and is promoting related projects. The system is characterized by utilizing the high heat (array) generated when the SOFC fuel cell operates.

Conceptual Diagram of SK Ecoplant Fuel Cell Array Utilized High-Efficiency Integrated Absorption Cooling System

Samjung Tech, which co-developed the patented technology, is a specialized company in absorption heating and cooling systems and has commercialized a next-generation absorption heating and cooling system with approximately 27% improved efficiency compared to existing models.

The absorption heating and cooling system operates on the principle that the evaporation and absorption temperatures of water vary according to pressure. Generally, water boils at 100°C, but the absorption heating and cooling system creates a near-vacuum pressure (6.5 mmHg), allowing water to boil at just 5°C. The water that boils at a low temperature evaporates and acts as a refrigerant to cool the surroundings. When used for heating, hot water is produced, and the steam generated while supplying heat is reabsorbed and recycled.

While conventional absorption heating and cooling systems for building HVAC used fossil fuels such as gas and oil as heat sources, this patent utilizes the exhaust gas from fuel cells, which was previously discarded, as the heat source. The system developed by SK ecoplant uses fuel cell arrays at 300~400°C as the heat source to produce 7°C chilled water, which is used for building cooling.

SK ecoplant plans to apply this technology to a 19.8MW fuel cell power plant to be installed in the second half of the year. According to current simulations, applying absorption chillers to two sets of fuel cells (SOFC 600kW scale) is expected to operate about six 35kW air conditioners through thermal energy as well as power generation. This capacity can meet the cooling demand of a server room approximately 990㎡ in size that requires temperature maintenance throughout the year.

SK ecoplant plans to apply the absorption heating and cooling system to all fuel cell power plants with a facility capacity of 15MW or more to meet heating and cooling demands such as those in electrical rooms.

Im Inmuk, Executive Director of Energy Operation at SK ecoplant, stated, "Integrating the absorption heating and cooling system that strategically utilizes fuel cell arrays into fuel cell demand sites is expected to reduce costs and replace fossil fuels used for heating and cooling. We will also lead the export of advanced fuel cells and related technologies through the development of various applied technologies."