Abstract
With a growing energy demand in a carbon-constrained society, fuels cells powered by renewable fuels, and specifically solid waste, are seen as interesting contributors to the energy portfolio. The alternative energy industry needs to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and demonstrate durability and reliability to be economically feasible and attractive. This paper addresses biomass waste gasification in distributed energy systems, using a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) to produce electricity and heat. The potential and optimal plant efficiency and layout (i.e., anode off-gas (AOG) recirculation point via small-scale turbomachinery and heat exchanger network) are analyzed through a multi-stage approach that includes scenario evaluation and multi-objective optimization via a hybrid optimization strategy with heuristics and mathematical programming. The results in this paper summarize the most convenient operating conditions and provide an optimized heat exchanger network (HEN). The AOG recirculation toward the gasifier combustor is the preferred option; the electrical and thermal efficiencies can separately go up to 49 and 47%, respectively. The combined total efficiency ranges between 76 and 82%, and the area of heat exchange, which corresponds to an amount of heat exchanged between 91 and 117 kW, is within 6–14 m2.
Highlights
Two important issues that current and future societies must address are energy demand and waste disposal
- fuel utilization (FU), which tends to be on the upper limit. - The anode off-gas (AOG) cooling temperature, which is low enough to separate steam. - The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) inlet temperature, which tends to be on the lower limit (690–700°C)
This paper summarizes the different scenario evaluations and the optimization performed to propose a micro-CHP biowaste gasification–SOFC plant layout and working conditions within the framework of the EU H2020 project BLAZE
Summary
Two important issues that current and future societies must address are energy demand and waste disposal. In this context, the deployment of renewable and waste-derived energy sources could reduce emissions and secure energy access by diversifying supply. The traditional scheme for electricity production uses large and centralized power plants that inject electricity to the grid. The dispersed production and relatively low energy density of waste streams may not allow them to be transported over long distances or aggregated sufficiently for use in central power generation unless cofired with traditional fuels. Population needs may involve rural development or electricity injection to the grid that is required to alleviate the pressure on large fossil fuel power plants
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