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Anaerobic Digestion and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Integration: A Comprehensive Dimensioning and Comparative Techno-Energy-Economic Assessment of Biomethane Grid Injection vs. Cogeneration

Author

Listed:
  • Orlando Corigliano

    (Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy)

  • Leonardo Pagnotta

    (Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy)

  • Petronilla Fragiacomo

    (Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to study and analyze an integrated anaerobic digester (AD)–solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system, to achieve an energy-efficient waste-to-energy solution. A detailed numerical modeling is developed for plant dimensioning and energy evaluations. The calculation pathway involves determining operational parameters based on specific variables such as the net electric power produced by the SOFC system or the amount of biogas produced by the AD. Three types of biomass—sewage sludge, slaughter waste, and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW)—are considered. The reactor volume required is approximately 24,000 m 3 per 1 kg/s of biogas, processing a daily organic substrate of around 900 m 3 . The calculations reveal a SOFC electric efficiency of 51% and a thermal efficiency of 39%, under the most favorable conditions. In the integrated AD-SOFC layout, net electrical and thermal efficiencies of 47% and 35%, respectively, are achieved. The economic analysis evaluates the investment feasibility under current incentive schemes, considering both the standalone sale of biomethane and the sale of electricity and thermal energy through SOFC integration. A case study evaluates a biomethane facility producing 508 Sm 3 /h, integrated with an SOFC system capable of generating 2.36 MW el and 1.74 MW th of electric and thermal powers. Various scenarios are examined using net present value (NPV) and payback period (PB) analyses. Results show that the PB for the biomethane-only case is 6.46 years. When integrating the SOFC system, the PB is slightly longer—6.58 years in the most favorable scenario—while it increases to 11.55 years under the most likely scenario.

Suggested Citation

  • Orlando Corigliano & Leonardo Pagnotta & Petronilla Fragiacomo, 2025. "Anaerobic Digestion and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Integration: A Comprehensive Dimensioning and Comparative Techno-Energy-Economic Assessment of Biomethane Grid Injection vs. Cogeneration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-31, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:17:p:4551-:d:1734147
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Prestipino, Mauro & Corigliano, Orlando & Galvagno, Antonio & Piccolo, Antonio & Fragiacomo, Petronilla, 2025. "Exploring the potential of wet biomass gasification with SOFC and ICE cogeneration technologies: process design, simulation and comparative thermodynamic analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 392(C).
    2. Reyhani, Hamed Akbarpour & Meratizaman, Mousa & Ebrahimi, Armin & Pourali, Omid & Amidpour, Majid, 2016. "Thermodynamic and economic optimization of SOFC-GT and its cogeneration opportunities using generated syngas from heavy fuel oil gasification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 141-164.
    3. Orlando Corigliano & Marco Iannuzzi & Crescenzo Pellegrino & Francesco D’Amico & Leonardo Pagnotta & Petronilla Fragiacomo, 2023. "Enhancing Energy Processes and Facilities Redesign in an Anaerobic Digestion Plant for Biomethane Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-29, August.
    4. Baena-Moreno, Francisco M. & Malico, Isabel & Rodríguez-Galán, Mónica & Serrano, Antonio & Fermoso, Fernando G. & Navarrete, Benito, 2020. "The importance of governmental incentives for small biomethane plants in South Spain," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    5. Dhruv Singh & Piero Sirini & Lidia Lombardi, 2025. "Green Hydrogen Production from Biogas or Landfill Gas by Steam Reforming or Dry Reforming: Specific Production and Energy Requirements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-25, May.
    6. Fragiacomo, Petronilla & Martorelli, Michele & Genovese, Matteo & Piraino, Francesco & Corigliano, Orlando, 2024. "Thermodynamic modelling, testing and sensitive analysis of a directly pressurized hydrogen refuelling process with a compressor," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
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