Development of an SOFC Stack Performance Map for Natural Gas Operation

Abstract

Successful commercial application of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technologies will require selection of appropriate operating conditions. By varying operating conditions, a wide range of power and efficiency may be derived from an SOFC system. The operating parameters may be selected based on requirements for power, efficiency, or a function of both variables such as cost of electricity. The utility of a performance mapping, based on an isothermal closed form parametric performance model of a hydrogen fueled SOFC stack, has been demonstrated previously. The extension of this analysis methodology to include natural gas operation is shown. This model was applied to construct natural gas performance maps. The functional form of the model and the boundaries of the operating envelope provide useful insight into SOFC operating characteristics and a simple means of selecting conditions for natural gas operation.