Effect of anode-cathode exhaust gas recirculation on energy recuperation in a solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine hybrid power system

Abstract

A solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine (SOFC-GT) hybrid system supplying liquid fuel as ethanol exhibits promise as an auxiliary power unit. In this study, the recirculation of anode and cathode exhaust gas in the SOFC-GT system is proposed to improve the efficiency of heat management in the SOFC-GT hybrid system. The key operating parameters, such as fuel utilization factor and the cell and GT temperatures, are analyzed in terms of the performance of the SOFC-GT hybrid systems. The simulation results show that the recirculation of anode and cathode exhaust gas has a direct impact on the turbine performance. To maintain the inlet temperature of the small turbine in the range of 873-1223 K, the amount of fuel and air added to the combustor to control the turbine inlet temperature on the system performance is also investigated. A SOFC-GT hybrid system with both anode and cathode exhaust gas recirculation achieves the highest system and thermal efficiency. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.