Simulation of Start-up of Anode Gas Recycle SOFC System Using Catalytic Combustion Method

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are the most efficient known converters of chemical to electrical energy, and simple, compact SOFC designs are actively sought. We simulated an anode gas recycle SOFC system using a catalytic combustion method during transient operations (i.e., startup and shutdown). In this system, methane fuel conversion is enabled by oxidation air that is injected by a catalytic combustion reaction in the combustor section located upstream of the pre-reformer section. The effects of the operation conditions (i.e., the stack temperature, air-to-methane feed ratio, fuel utilization, and recirculation ratio) on system performance were clarified via chemical equilibrium calculations. From the results of this simulation, we determined the operational procedures and system configurations corresponding to the stack temperature and load conditions.

Smart Fuel Cell Demonstration Project: A Challenge to Realize SOFC-Powered Campus

“…The experience with the polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers will help us to examine requirements and specifications for future electrolyzer development where solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) could be a promising alternative. A tri-generation SOFC system could also be attractive as a hydrogen generation unit in a hydrogen refueling station (7). As illustrated in Figure 8, this university campus is now a future energy town where the electricity from SOFCs connected to the university electricity grid is widely used and hydrogen technologies such as FCV and renewable hydrogen refueling station are in daily operation.…”