Model and Simulation of a SOFC CHP Plant Fuelled with Hydrogen

Abstract

In this paper the characteristics and problems of a SOFC CHP system is investigated in the hypothesis of hydrogen feeding. The possibility of SOFC systems fed by hydrogen is not deeply investigated: the main advantage of SOFC is the possibility to be fed by different fuels, while hydrogen has to be produced. Nevertheless, in case of a context with possibility of producing hydrogen at low cost by means of renewable sources (e.g. hydroelectricity), it could be of interest to investigate a SOFC system fed with hydrogen fuel due to a better system performance and environmental benefits. A model is proposed describing the operation of an air-cooled SOFC system: results are discussed pointing out the thermal management and its effect on the electrical performance of system. It is shown that the design of a high temperature cathode recirculation system allows one to overcome the thermal management while obtaining higher electrical performances.