Performance assessment of sofc systems integrated with bio-ethanol production and purification processes

Abstract

The overall electrical efficiencies of the integrated systems of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with bio-ethanol production and purification processes at different levels of heat integration were investigated. The simulation studies were based on the condition with zero net energy (no external heat required). It was found that the most suitable operating condition of SOFC is at voltage between 0.7 and 0.85 V and temperature between 973 and 1173 K. Regarding the effect of percent ethanol recovery, the optimum percent ethanol recovery is observed at 95%. The SOFC integrated with bio-ethanol production and purification processes with reforming of biogas for producing extra hydrogen is found to be the most efficient system, offering the overall electrical efficiency of 36.17%. However, additional equipments such as biogas reformer and heat exchangers are required, resulting in increased investment cost.