Effects of SOFC exhaust gas recirculation on performance of solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid system utilizing renewable fuels

Abstract

The use of biogas and ethanol as fuels for solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine (SOFC-GT) hybrid system needs an external steam reformer. As the operation of steam reformer and air preheater requires high external energy input, the efficient heat management of the SOFC system is necessary. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze the recycling of the SOFC exhaust gas in a SOFC-GT hybrid system utilizing fuels such as ethanol and biogas. The effect of the recirculation ratio of the anode exhaust gas on the performance, the SOFC efficiency, the turbine to SOFC power ratio, and the overall efficiency of hybrid system was first investigated. Additionally, the recirculation of both anode and cathode exhaust gases in the SOFC-GT hybrid system was studied. © The Electrochemical Society.