Coupled analysis of performance and costs of segmented-in-series tubular solid oxide fuel cell for combined cycle system

Abstract

Integrated approaches that combine numerical modeling and economic evaluations were developed to investigate the potential widespread use of integrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems. A coupled model analysis of the cell performance and production costs of a segmented-in-series tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SST-SOFC) system was performed for a combined cycle power generation system integrating an SOFC and a gas turbine. The SST-SOFC cell-stack performance was investigated using a finite element method (FEM), and cost analysis of the SST-SOFC module production was conducted based on process-integration modeling. The impact of the cell-stack dimensions and material properties on the cell-stack performance was evaluated using FEM-based numerical modeling simulation. Cost analysis was performed in terms of cell dimension, the production process, and cell performance, based on the results of the FEM-based model simulation. We used a 250 kW combined cycle system, i.e., a 220 kW SST-SOFC module with a 30 kW micro gas turbine, to explore quantitative technological innovation pathways. The base-case production cost was ca. 240 JPY/W (ca. 2.4 USD/W), which can be reduced to ca. 110 JPY/W (ca. 1.10 USD/W) by increasing the production scale. In addition, the present method showed the innovation pathway to achieve a break-even point for grid electricity cost (14 JPY/kWh (0.14 USD/kWh)).