Selection of appropriate fuel processor for biogas-fuelled SOFC system

The performance of biogas-fed solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems utilizing different reforming agents (steam, air and combined air/steam) has been investigated via thermodynamic analysis to determine the most suitable feed. The boundary of carbon formation was first calculated to specify the minimum amount of each reforming agent necessary to avoid carbon formation. The SOFC performance (electrical efficiency and power density) was determined at different biogas compositions and reforming agent:biogas ratios. The SOFC performance is better when the methane content in the biogas is higher. Steam is considered to be the most suitable reforming agent in this study as the steam-fed SOFC offers much higher power density than the air-fed SOFC although its electrical efficiency is slightly lower. When steam is added in the air-fed SOFC as in the case of the co-fed SOFC, the power density can be improved but the electrical efficiency becomes lower compared with the case of the air-fed SOFC. Finally, in order to improve the electrical efficiency of the steam-fed SOFC, the biogas split option was proposed. It was found that a higher electrical efficiency can be achieved. In addition, although the power density is lowered by this operation, the value is still higher than the case of the air-fed SOFC.