Abstract
To improve the industry benchmark of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems, we consider anode off-gas recirculation (AOR) using a small-scale fan. Evolutionary algorithms compare different system design alternatives with hot or cold recirculation. The system performance is evaluated through multi-objective optimization (MOO) criteria, i.e., maximization of electrical efficiency and cogeneration efficiency. The aerodynamic efficiency and rotordynamic stability of the high-speed recirculation fan is investigated in detail. The results obtained suggest that improvements to the best SOFC systems, in terms of net electrical efficiency, are achievable, including for small power scale (10 kWe).
Highlights
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) were initially developed for high temperature operation (>900° C) [1]
The optimizer scarifies some isentropic fan efficiency points to obtain higher rotational speeds resulting in smaller fans and rotors, yielding lower mechanical losses and better overall performance
Evolutionary algorithms can aid in the optimization of SOFC systems
Summary
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) were initially developed for high temperature operation (>900° C) [1]. The current state of the art SOFCs operate in an intermediate temperature range (600-800° C). They use a nickel yttria stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) composite planar anode, a lanthanum strontium cobaltite ferrite (LSCF)/cerium gadolinium oxide (CGO) composite cathode, a thin YSZ/CGO double electrolyte, and FeCr metal interconnect plates/sheets as bulk materials. The use of SOFCs for power generation is attractive, due to the high electrical efficiencies achievable even in the small-size power generation range [2]. Payne et al [3] report 60% AC net electrical efficiency for the commercial 2 kWe BlueGen system. There still exists a significant potential to even further improve the efficiency of integrated systems, which use natural gas or biogas processed through steam methane reforming, using external steam supply for stack integrated syngas production
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