System-Level Performance Analysis of Integrated TPR and SOFC/GT System Using Greenhouse Gases as Fuels

This paper presents performance analysis of a fuel cell system (FCS) that consists of a thermal plasma reformer (TPR) and a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell and gas turbine (SOFC/GT) system from a system-level viewpoint. This paper also addresses the results of using greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) as feedstock to the system. Being non-catalytic reforming, the thermal plasma reforming technique does not pose the problems of sulfur poisoning and carbon deposition. With lower ratio of H2/CO in the reformate stream, it is much preferred to a hybrid SOFC/GT system that is low sensitivity to CO. Through the simulation and analysis of GCtool software, the optimal operating condition for the integrated TPR and SOFC/GT system has been set at a temperature of 800°C and a CO2/CH4 mole flow rate ratio of 1.25. In addition, the estimated efficiency of the overall system can reach up to 48% without taking the heat loss into consideration. The application of CO2 reuse contributes to the CO fuel production and the reduction of greenhouse emission from an environmental perspective.

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