Integration of Gasification and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) for Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Abstract

This paper reviews the most recent information about the main operations to produce energy from carbonaceous materials, namely biomass and wastes through the integration of gasification, syngas cleaning and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), which have shown to be a good option for combined heat and power (CHP) production, due to high efficiency and low environmental impact. However, some challenges still need to be overcome, mainly when mixed feedstocks with high contents of hazardous contaminants are used, thus syngas cleaning and conditioning is of major importance. Another drawback is SOFC operation, hence new materials especially for the anode has been proposed and tested. An overall process to produce CHP by gasification integration with SOFC is proposed.

Hydrogen-Rich Gas Production by Steam Reforming and Oxidative Steam Reforming of Methanol over La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ: Effects of Preparation, Operation Conditions, and Redox Cycles

“…Nevertheless, these perovskite-type oxides perform poorly at relatively low temperatures compared to Cu or Pd supported on ZnO/Al 2 O 3 because CH 3 OH conversion starts above 250–300 °C and the CO 2 selectivity is between 50% and 70%. In this regard, these mixtures of H 2 and CO, named synthesis gas (syngas), can be attractive for feeding solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) . Compared to PEMFCs, SOFCs are much more flexible because they can effectively use different mixtures of H 2 , CO, and other gases as fuels.…”

Synergic Effects of Bed Materials and Catalytic Filter Candle for the Conversion of Tar during Biomass Steam Gasification

“…However, some byproducts are generated during the process: particulate, ammonia, sulfur, halogens, base compounds and tar (mixture of condensable heavy hydrocarbons) [7,8]. The contaminants have to be removed before the use of gas, e.g., for the production of hydrogen [9,10] or fuel cell feeding [11][12][13].…”

“…Raising the steam to biomass ratio results in a lower amount of tar produced due to water gas shift, reforming, and cracking reactions, leading to higher H2 yield and, therefore, better low heating value (LHV) for the gas. However, the energy requirements also increase [13,24].…”

A review on materials, advantages, and challenges in thin film based solid oxide fuel cells

“…These SOFCs typically operate at higher temperatures (800°C‐1000°C) owing to their solid electrolyte component since sufficient ionic conductivity and high catalytic activity are required for the electrolyte and electrode, respectively, which take longer duration to attain the operating temperature than that of liquid electrolytes. The SOFCs are the best alternatives to the conventional thermal power plants for large scale power operations because these achieve higher conversion efficiency along with CHP applications (Figure 1) where excess heat can be transferred to the boiler to generate thermal power 11,12 . Fuel flexibility is the main advantage that may permit SOFCs to penetrate into the market as small and medium electricity generators.…”

“…The SOFCs are the best alternatives to the conventional thermal power plants for large scale power operations because these achieve higher conversion efficiency along with CHP applications (Figure 1) where excess heat can be transferred to the boiler to generate thermal power. 11,12 Fuel flexibility is the main advantage that may permit SOFCs to penetrate into the market as small and medium electricity generators.…”