Probabilistic analysis of solid oxide fuel-cell integrated with gas turbine

Abstract

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) integrated with a Gas Turbine (GT) is a highly efficient way to convert chemical energy of hydro carbon fuel into electrical energy. SOFC-GT is a high temperature, high pressure system and features a fuel flexibility, which makes it easier to retrofit into the existing power plants. A lot of research had already taken place to make SOFC-GT more fuel efficient and cost effective as well. SOFC-GT is a complex thermodynamic electro-chemical system that has numerous input variables that affect the overall efficiency of the system. In order to further develop the SOFC-GT technology and future research, clear understanding is required to analyze relationship between the input and output parameters. One way to analyze the input/output relationship over the range of parameter variations is to conduct a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis of 19 input variables has been conducted to understand how each variable would affect the net power output and overall efficiency of a SOFC-GT system.