A start-up test rig at TPG laboratory at the University of Genoa, Italy, has been designed and built for two main purposes: physically simulating different start-up layout and procedures of high temperature fuel cell hybrid systems, and validating time-dependent system models based on TRANSEO software. Start-up is a critical operating phase for high temperature fuel cell hybrid systems, and it may require specific modifications to the hybrid system layout. The start-up test rig is meant to be very flexible for testing several start-up layouts as well as the coupling of different microturbines. Microturbine is not present in the rig, but its behavior is obtained with a real-time tool running in parallel. The test rig incorporates an original start-up combustor, which is actually constituted by a patented piping heated by an electrical heater.Results for cold test, 700°C and 950°C start-up outlet temperature tests are reported. Such results show the pressure and temperature quick rise during the early phase of start-up, which could represent an issue for the stack durability and mechanical stress. Finally, a TRANSEO model of the test rig was built up and validated showing good agreement with the experimental results. This achievement was very useful to increase the confidence with predictive dynamic simulation tools, especially during the start-up phase.
