Abstract
Integrated Biomass Gasifier Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems represent an alternative to fossil fuel based power plants, and direct internal tar reforming allows achieving high efficiency and decreasing system complexity. However, at present, tar is removed or reformed externally since there is not yet general agreement on the fate of these compounds in the anode chamber, and no information is available on the combined effects of tar and other biosyngas contaminants. In this paper, we present the results of short-term experiments on the cross-influence of HCl and tar on Ni-GDC Solid Oxide Fuel Cell anode and on direct internal tar reforming. Initially, the cell was fed with humidified hydrogen and an increasing concentration of HCl (8, 42 and 82 ppmv) and toluene (2.5, 4.2 and 8.4 g/Nm3) separately. Successively, 8.4 g/Nm3 of toluene and an increasing concentration of HCl were fed to the cell. We used polarisation and power density curves, and outlet gas composition analysis to evaluate the contaminants effects. The presence of HCl and toluene caused only a marginal increase in the cell Area Specific Resistance (around 1.5% when the cell was operated at Open Circuit), and the Area Specific Resistance remained then constant during the exposure time. However, HCl affects tar reforming decreasing the concentration of CO2 and CO at the cell outlet. The results indicate the feasibility of direct internal toluene reforming and suggest the revision of currently used tolerance limits based on contaminants cross-influence effects. Extensive research on this topic is still required.
Highlights
Great effort has been made in the past years to replace fossil fuels with clean, renewable and sustainable energy sources and fuels [1,2]
We present the results of short-term experiments on the cross-influence of HCl and tar on Ni-GDC Solid Oxide Fuel Cell anode and on direct internal tar reforming
Toluene was selected as model tar. This compound has been used by various research groups since it is one of the most abundant tar species generated in downdraft gasifiers, it is more difficult to remove than heavier compounds when cold gas cleaning systems are used, and it is more reactive than polyaromatic tar compounds [25,38,39]
Summary
Great effort has been made in the past years to replace fossil fuels with clean, renewable and sustainable energy sources and fuels [1,2]. Biomass has features closer to fossil fuels, but due to its low energy density and scattered distribution, it is necessary to develop small scale systems to fully exploit its potential in a clean and sustainable manner. In this regard, Integrated Biomass Gasifier Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems have received considerable attention for micro-CHP generation [3]. Hot gas cleaning and direct internal tar reforming are considered helpful to achieve high efficiency and decrease system complexity, allowing the development of efficient and cost-effective Integrated Biomass Gasifier Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems. Hot gas cleaning helps to avoid the need for additional equipment and the thermodynamic penalty typical of cold gas cleaning, and direct internal tar reforming simplifies the system heat management and eliminates the Applied Energy 231 (2018) 1–11
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