Coupling of Biomass Steam Gasification and an SOFC-Gas Turbine Hybrid System for Highly Efficient Electricity Generation

Abstract

An energetic model of an internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell (IRSOFC) is developed. It is integrated in a process coupling fluidized bed steam gasification of biomass and an IRSOFC-gas turbine hybrid cycle. Process simulation is performed using the software package IPSEpro. The model of the gasification and gas conditioning section is based on data from the 8 MW (fuel power) plant in Guessing/Austria, while the fuel cell is modeled based on recent literature data. Heat utilization for power generation is considered covering both hybrid cycle exhaust and heat from the gasification process. Electric efficiencies up to 43% are expected for combined heat and power application even at small plant capacities in the range of 8 MW fuel power.