Thermal Integration of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with Ethanol Reformer through a Heat Exchanger Network

Abstract

The integration of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) with an ethanol reformer through a heat exchanger network was investigated aiming at improving the system's energy efficiency. This study employs lumped models and 1D modeling techniques, which, despite their simplifications, provide a good balance between computational speed and accuracy. A parametric analysis was performed focusing on the impact of temperature variations (600 oC to 900 oC) and O2:C2H5OH molar ratios (0 to 1) on the system's performance, particularly regarding efficiency, electrical power output, and heat exchange schemes. A heat exchanger network was proposed to recovery heat wasted by the SOFC exhasted gases. Results indicated that higher temperatures enhanced hydrogen production in the reformer, thereby increasing both SOFC electrical power and system efficiency. Without heat integration, the system's overall efficiency was 44.4% under specific operational conditions. Implementing a heat exchanger network, designed via pinch analysis to recuperate 842 W of heat exhasted by the SOFC, elevated the system's efficiency to 61.2%, marking a significant improvement over the non-integrated setup. This efficiency gain was achieved with minimal external heating, highlighting the potential of thermal integration in optimizing SOFC systems.