Design of a 5‐kW advanced fuel cell polygeneration system

Abstract

AbstractIn this article, a planar, low‐temperature, solid‐oxide fuel cell based on nanocomposite materials is developed by cost‐effective tape casting and hot‐pressing methods. First, a single cell with active area of 6 × 6 cm2 was manufactured and tested to determine the cell performance. The power density of 0.4 and 0.7 W cm−2 were achieved at stable open‐circuit voltages at operating temperature of 550°C using the syngas and hydrogen, respectively. Based on these experimental results, a 5‐kW low‐temperature, solid‐oxide fuel cell polygeneration system is designed and analyzed. This system can provide electrical power and heating concurrently from a single source of fuel. The system design and the energy and mass balance are presented and a simulation based on syngas is performed. Finally, effects of fuel utilization factor, fuel cell operating temperature, and air temperature at cathode inlet on performance of polygeneration system is investigated.This article is categorized under: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen > Science and Materials Energy Efficiency > Science and Materials