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A comparison of steam reforming concepts in solid oxide fuel cell systems

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  • van Biert, L.
  • Visser, K.
  • Aravind, P.V.

Abstract

Various concepts have been proposed to use hydrocarbon fuels in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems. A combination of either allothermal or adiabatic pre-reforming and water recirculation (WR) or anode off-gas recirculation (AOGR) is commonly used to convert the fuel into a hydrogen rich mixture before it is electrochemically oxidised in the SOFC. However, it is unclear how these reforming concepts affect the electrochemistry and temperature gradients in the SOFC stack. In this study, four reforming concepts based on either allothermal or adiabatic pre-reforming and either WR or AOGR are modelled on both stack and system level. The electrochemistry and temperature gradients in the stack are simulated with a one-dimensional SOFC model, and the results are used to calculate the corresponding system efficiencies. The highest system efficiencies are obtained with allothermal pre-reforming and WR. Adiabatic pre-reforming and AOGR result in a higher degree of internal reforming, which reduces the cell voltage compared to allothermal pre-reforming and WR. Although this lowers the stack efficiency, higher degrees of internal reforming reduce the power consumption by the cathode air blower as well, leading to higher system efficiencies in some cases. This illustrates that both stack and system operation need to be considered to design an efficient SOFC system and predict potentially deteriorating temperature gradients in the stack.

Suggested Citation

  • van Biert, L. & Visser, K. & Aravind, P.V., 2020. "A comparison of steam reforming concepts in solid oxide fuel cell systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:264:y:2020:i:c:s0306261920302609
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.114748
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    2. Kong, Wei & Han, Zhen & Lu, Siyu & Ni, Meng, 2021. "A simple but effective design to enhance the performance and durability of direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    3. Jan Hollmann & Stephan Kabelac, 2023. "Steady-State and Transient Operation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems with Anode Off-Gas Recirculation within a Highly Constrained Operating Range," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-30, November.
    4. Rasaki, S.A. & Liu, C. & Lao, C. & Zhang, H. & Chen, Z., 2021. "The innovative contribution of additive manufacturing towards revolutionizing fuel cell fabrication for clean energy generation: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    5. Emilio Audasso & Fiammetta Rita Bianchi & Barbara Bosio, 2020. "2D Simulation for CH 4 Internal Reforming-SOFCs: An Approach to Study Performance Degradation and Optimization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.
    6. Eichhorn Colombo, Konrad W. & Kharton, Vladislav V. & Berto, Filippo & Paltrinieri, Nicola, 2020. "Mathematical modeling and simulation of hydrogen-fueled solid oxide fuel cell system for micro-grid applications - Effect of failure and degradation on transient performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    7. Zheng Li & Guogang Yang & Qiuwan Shen & Shian Li & Hao Wang & Jiadong Liao & Ziheng Jiang & Guoling Zhang, 2022. "Transient Multi-Physics Modeling and Performance Degradation Evaluation of Direct Internal Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Focusing on Carbon Deposition Effect," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-20, December.
    8. Quach, Thai-Quyen & Giap, Van-Tien & Keun Lee, Dong & Pineda Israel, Torres & Young Ahn, Kook, 2022. "High-efficiency ammonia-fed solid oxide fuel cell systems for distributed power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    9. Park, Kilsu & Kim, Myoung-jin & Kwon, Soon-mo & Kang, Shinuang & Kim, Taegyu, 2023. "Performance evaluation of solid NaBH4-based hydrogen generator for fuel-cell-powered unmanned autonomous systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    10. Perčić, Maja & Vladimir, Nikola & Jovanović, Ivana & Koričan, Marija, 2022. "Application of fuel cells with zero-carbon fuels in short-sea shipping," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
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