Solid Oxide Fuel Cell systems fed by multiple fuels: detailed modelling and experimental validation

For years, environmental conditions have been pushing the world towards an energy transition that sees changes at the root. Fully renewable electricity generation exploits unlimited resources, but also brings disadvantages, so it is important to develop technologies that can support them and make them more profitable and reliable. The following work analyzes the performance of a SOFC, high temperature electrochemical cell, and the associated BoP. This work focuses on performance based on fuel input, highlighting the main parameters and their dependencies. In detail, the study carried out starts from a Matlab model developed and validated with experimental curves, capable of simulating the work of this technology based on the input gas, without the need to carry out further experiments for each case; in this way through the code you already have a complete vision. SOFC passes from a supply of 100% of methane to a full supply of hydrogen, through an intermediate condition of mixing without any modification on the apparatus and on the plant. The electrochemical, mass and energy parameters associated with the cell and with all the components of the BoP are analysed, commenting on the effects of the different input fuel. It is evident how the SOFC is able to work in an ever more exhaustive way as the percentage of incoming Hydrogen increases with yields higher than 80% and a maximum power of about 2 kW in a single cell. But it still performed well in every case examined without requiring changes to design or materials. As the percentage of methane decreases, the activation losses decrease and the power produced increases; the quantity of air necessary for the cathode increases as the recirculation at the anode decreases. Regarding the associated BoP, the power demand of the components increases with hydrogen injection and an increasing gap is observed between the cell and net efficiency curves. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to define an optimal condition based on the incoming fuel. In the end the SOFC is very efficient, flexible and technically adaptable, capable of supporting existing technologies or being the undisputed leader, given the associated additional scalability characteristics.