Advances in Fabrication Techniques of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Portable Application

Abstract

generation system using SOFCs with internal reforming and a gas turbine cycle. The integration of SOFCs with gas turbines increases significantly the power generation efficiency relative to separate processes and reduces greatly the exergy loss due to combustion, which is the most irreversible process in the system. The other main exergy destruction is attributable to electrochemical fuel oxidation in the SOFC. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the integrated system reach 70-80%, which compares well to the efficiencies of approximately 55% typical of conventional combined-cycle power generation systems. Variations of the energy and exergy efficiencies of the integrated system with operating conditions are provided, showing, for example, that SOFC efficiency is enhanced if the fuel cell active area is augmented. A detailed assessment of a case study highlights the main results. Also, a modified scheme of gas turbine cycle that includes an SOFC, a membrane reactor (instead of a traditional combustion chamber), and a catalytic reactor to perform methane conversion to produce hydrogen (synthesis gas) is proposed.