Energy and exergy assessments are reported of integrated power generation using solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with internal reforming and a gas turbine cycle. The gas turbine inlet temperature is fixed at 1573 K and the high-temperature turbine exhaust heats the natural gas and air inputs, and generates pressurized steam. The steam mixes at the SOFC stack inlet with natural gas to facilitate the reformation process. The integration of solid oxide fuel cells with gas turbines increases significantly the power generation efficiency relative to separate processes and reduces greatly the exergy loss due to combustion, which is the most irreversible process in the system. The other main exergy destruction is attributable to electrochemical fuel oxidation in the SOFC. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the integrated system reach 70–80%, which compares well to the efficiencies of approximately 55% typical of conventional combined-cycle power generation systems. Variations in the energy and exergy efficiencies of the integrated system with operating conditions are provided, showing, for example, that SOFC efficiency is enhanced if the fuel cell active area is augmented. The SOFC stack efficiency can be maximized by reducing the steam generation while increasing the stack size, although such measures imply a significant and nonproportional cost rise. Such measures must be implemented cautiously, as a reduction in steam generation decreases the steam/methane ratio at the anode inlet, which may increase the risk of catalyst coking. A detailed assessment of an illustrative example highlights the main results.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: ibrahim.dincer@uoit.ca
e-mail: marc.rosen@uoit.ca
e-mail: calin.zamfirescu@uoit.ca
Article navigation
September 2009
Research Papers
Exergetic Performance Analysis of a Gas Turbine Cycle Integrated With Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Ibrahim Dincer,
Ibrahim Dincer
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
e-mail: ibrahim.dincer@uoit.ca
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1H 7K4, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Marc A. Rosen,
Marc A. Rosen
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
e-mail: marc.rosen@uoit.ca
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1H 7K4, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Calin Zamfirescu
Calin Zamfirescu
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
e-mail: calin.zamfirescu@uoit.ca
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1H 7K4, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
Ibrahim Dincer
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1H 7K4, Canadae-mail: ibrahim.dincer@uoit.ca
Marc A. Rosen
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1H 7K4, Canadae-mail: marc.rosen@uoit.ca
Calin Zamfirescu
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1H 7K4, Canadae-mail: calin.zamfirescu@uoit.ca
J. Energy Resour. Technol. Sep 2009, 131(3): 032001 (11 pages)
Published Online: August 4, 2009
Article history
Received:
December 17, 2007
Revised:
March 10, 2009
Published:
August 4, 2009
Citation
Dincer, I., Rosen, M. A., and Zamfirescu, C. (August 4, 2009). "Exergetic Performance Analysis of a Gas Turbine Cycle Integrated With Solid Oxide Fuel Cells." ASME. J. Energy Resour. Technol. September 2009; 131(3): 032001. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3185348
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Related Articles
Exergy Analysis of a Gas Turbine Cycle With Steam Generation for Methane Conversion Within Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (August,2008)
A Thermodynamic Analysis of Electricity and Hydrogen Co-Production Using a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (May,2006)
A Thermodynamic Analysis of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based Hybrid Systems
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (January,2003)
Cycle Analysis of Gas Turbine–Fuel Cell Cycle Hybrid Micro Generation System
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (October,2004)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Combined Cycle Power Plant
Energy and Power Generation Handbook: Established and Emerging Technologies
Outlook
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential
Studies Performed
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential