Biogas Power Generation with SOFC to Demonstrate Energy Circulation Suitable for Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Abstract

AbstractFor sustainable development of Southeast Asian countries, the use of regional biomass waste for power generation must be promoted. In our Vietnam‐Japan joint project contributing to the sustainable development goals (SDGs), a shrimp farm in Ben Tre (Mekong Delta area) was selected as a demonstration site for an energy circulation system that includes a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). We found that sludge accumulated during intensive‐shrimp culture can be used as a source of methanogenic bacteria to decompose lignocellulosic and starch‐based biomass. Bagasse and coconut pomace are mixed with the shrimp pond water containing organic matter and minerals, then supplied to a digester with seed sludge (shrimp pond sludge) to produce biogas, which converted to electricity using the SOFC system. The green electricity is used for shrimp culture, main industry of this region. Based on this concept, a pilot plant with 1 kW SOFC system was constructed at the shrimp farm in Ben Tre. So far, stable biogas production necessary for the continuous operation of the 1 kW SOFC was achieved by the daily supply of 6 kg of bagasse and 8 kg of coconut pomace (dry basis), and power generation efficiency of 53.1% (LHV: lower heating value) was achieved.