Environmental Assessment of Integrated Biomass Gasification Fuel Cell for Power Generation System

Abstract

gasification, a fuel cell system is required. A fuel cell is an energy conversion device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel gas directly to electrical energy and heat without the need for direct combustion as an intermediate step, giving higher conversion efficiencies than conventional thermo mechanical methods. In this research, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology combined with biomass gasification is studied. This combination is referred to as Integrated Biomass Gasification Fuel Cell System or BGFC (2). Commercial program as Aspen plus is used to perform a simulation of BGFC system. Optimal operating conditions in order to produce highest power efficiency are evaluated. An environmental assessment of combination system of biomass (rice straw) gasification and power plant process is studied in this research using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. LCA methodology is gaining attention for measuring an environment impact of the use of biomass as energy sources. The majority of the researchers agreed that LCA method is the best tool for estimation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is helpful for environmental improvement (3).