TY - JOUR
T1 - Thermodynamic analysis of an improved integrated biomass gasifier solid oxide fuel cell micro combined heat and power system
AU - Cavalli, A.
AU - Monteiro Fernandes, A.B.
AU - Aravind, P. V.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Limited overall efficiency and excessive complexity can hinder the competitiveness of biomass gasifier solid oxide fuel cell micro combined heat and power systems. To overcome these problems, hydrocarbons direct internal reforming is analysed as a strategy to increase efficiency and reduce system complexity. To the same end, two biosyngas heating-up strategies are compared: catalytic partial oxidation and afterburner off gases utilization. A comprehensive approach combining thermodynamic equilibrium calculations, experimental measurements, and system modelling was used. The gas cleaning unit should operate at 400 °C to decrease H2S and HCl below 1 ppmv. A tar amount of 120–130 g Nm−3 dry biosyngas for woodchips and 190 g Nm−3 for straw pellets was measured and 2-methoxyphenol, hydroxyacetic acid and hydroxyacetone were selected as representative compounds. With direct internal reforming the cathode air flow rate decreases from approximately 90 kg h−1 to 60 kg h−1. This leads to an increase of around 1% point in electrical efficiency and of even 5–6% points in thermal efficiency. Direct internal tar reforming seems therefore an advantageous strategy. The catalytic partial oxidation unit increases the system overall efficiency but reduces the electric efficiency from roughly 38%–30% and is therefore not advised.
AB - Limited overall efficiency and excessive complexity can hinder the competitiveness of biomass gasifier solid oxide fuel cell micro combined heat and power systems. To overcome these problems, hydrocarbons direct internal reforming is analysed as a strategy to increase efficiency and reduce system complexity. To the same end, two biosyngas heating-up strategies are compared: catalytic partial oxidation and afterburner off gases utilization. A comprehensive approach combining thermodynamic equilibrium calculations, experimental measurements, and system modelling was used. The gas cleaning unit should operate at 400 °C to decrease H2S and HCl below 1 ppmv. A tar amount of 120–130 g Nm−3 dry biosyngas for woodchips and 190 g Nm−3 for straw pellets was measured and 2-methoxyphenol, hydroxyacetic acid and hydroxyacetone were selected as representative compounds. With direct internal reforming the cathode air flow rate decreases from approximately 90 kg h−1 to 60 kg h−1. This leads to an increase of around 1% point in electrical efficiency and of even 5–6% points in thermal efficiency. Direct internal tar reforming seems therefore an advantageous strategy. The catalytic partial oxidation unit increases the system overall efficiency but reduces the electric efficiency from roughly 38%–30% and is therefore not advised.
KW - Biomass gasifier
KW - Direct internal tar reforming
KW - High temperature gas cleaning
KW - Solid oxide fuel cell
KW - Thermodynamic analysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85106452947&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.energy.2021.120945
DO - 10.1016/j.energy.2021.120945
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85106452947
SN - 0360-5442
VL - 231
JO - Energy
JF - Energy
M1 - 120945
ER -