Biomass Gasifier–SOFC Systems: From Electrode Studies to the Development of Integrated Systems and New Applications

Abstract

An overview of the research activities and on-going multiple projects at Delft University of Technology aimed at the development of Gasifier–Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) based power plants are presented. Biosyngas generated in gasifiers consists of a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), water vapor (H2O), and minor impurities. Biosyngas can be a good fuel for SOFCs provided that the gas is sufficiently cleaned. Influence of biosyngas compositions and biomass-derived contaminants on SOFCs is presented and the removal of potential contaminants such as tar, particulates, H2S, HCl, and alkali compounds from biosyngas is discussed. It appears that the gasification product gas can be cleaned to meet the requirements of SOFCs using currently known gas cleaning methods. Additionally, a brief discussion on the achievable system efficiencies with gasifier–SOFC systems is presented. Innovative applications of the gasifier-SOFC systems being developed at Delft, such as advanced gasifier–SOFC systems for toilet development, are also presented.

Oxidation of H2, CO and syngas mixtures on ceria and nickel pattern anodes

“…Any addition of H 2 makes the spectra closer to H 2 oxidation than CO oxidation for dry as well as humidified feed compositions (Figs. [6][7][8][9]. This seems to indicate that hydrogen is oxidised preferentially compared to CO.…”

“…Present efforts are directed towards developing anode materials capable of operating with hydrocarbon fuels without carbon deposition [2][3][4]. As different types of anodes have their own advantages, it is important to compare the anodes for the type of fuel and application under consideration Following our previous work on gasifier SOFC gas turbine systems development [1,[5][6][7][8][9][10], in this study we compare the performance of different anode materials when fed with H 2 , CO and syngas. The traditional cermet anode is a porous three dimensional structure with metallic and ionic phases heterogeneously mixed making reactions difficult to localise.…”