Thermodynamic performance study of an integrated gasification fuel cell combined cycle - an energy analysis

In this paper an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) with a high-temperature, pressurized solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in the topping cycle and a single-pressure, non-reheat steam bottoming cycle has been conceptualized and analysed. An energy analysis is done for this combined cycle. The study reveals that an overall efficiency above 54 per cent is achievable for this combined cycle, which also offers satisfactory environmental friendliness. A higher pressure ratio across the gas turbine is found to improve the overall efficiency of the combined cycle. The SOFC operating temperature is found to influence the performance of the combined cycle in different ways, depending on the pressure ratios.