Biogas-fed solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) coupled to tri-reforming process: Modelling and simulation

The present work deals with the modelling, simulation and model validation of a biogasfed tri-reformer followed by a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) for power generation, and a furnace for pre-heating of the stream entering the system. In order to predict results on a micro-scale plant, the PRO/II (R) software was used for the simulation of the tri-reforming process, while ad-hoc models were developed for the SOFC and the furnace. Experimental results were outlined in a previous work [Lo Faro M, Vita A, Pino L, Arica AS. Performance evaluation of a solid oxide fuel cell coupled to an external biogas tri-reforming process. Fuel Processing Technology 2013; 115:238-45]. The overall system model was validated with the experimental data carried out with a laboratory scale equipment. The performance achieved on the simulated micro-scale plant was low, due to the modelled experimental conditions; nonetheless, the inherent flexibility of the model allows its application in the assessment of larger systems operating in real conditions. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.