Conceptual design and modelling of the Steam-Iron process and fuel cell integrated system

Abstract

The Steam-Iron process, based on the redox reaction of iron oxides (Fe3O4 + 4H2 ↔ 3Fe + 4H2O), is an interesting alternative to other methods of storing and generating pure hydrogen. In order to evaluate the ability of the Steam-Iron process to supply hydrogen to a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a mathematical model for the oxidation process in a fixed bed reactor has been developed and is used to estimate the behaviour of the reactor under various operating conditions (e.g. amount of iron, steam flow rate, temperature). As a result of the simulations, information is provided for the preliminary design of the reactor and the selection of optimal reaction conditions. Furthermore, we have shown that the Steam-Iron reactor can be successfully integrated with an SOFC, and two system options have been explored to determine the overall system efficiency. © 2009 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.