IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v237y2019icp476-486.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Thermal modelling of ethanol-fuelled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Author

Listed:
  • Chen, Bin
  • Xu, Haoran
  • Tan, Peng
  • Zhang, Yuan
  • Xu, Xiaoming
  • Cai, Weizi
  • Chen, Meina
  • Ni, Meng

Abstract

A 2D thermal model is developed to investigate an ethanol-fuelled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (E-SOFC) with a Ni-ZrO2/CeO2 functional layer for internal reforming of ethanol. The catalytic kinetics of the functional layer used in this model is validated in terms of ethanol conversion and product selectivity in the experimental data of a fixed-bed testing reactor. The simulated E-SOFC demonstrates a typical performance of 4385.6 A m−2 at 0.6 V, corresponding to a power density of 2631.4 W m−2, with a high conversion ratio of ethanol (0.903) at 700 °C. Parametric studies of voltage, water to ethanol ratio and inlet fuel gas temperature are conducted and comprehensively analysed, concluding that the positive effects of lowering the voltage and increasing the inlet temperature on the ethanol conversion. We find that adding the reforming layer is a facile and effective way to replace the conventional H2 by abundant-in-nature ethanol for SOFC from the numerical analysis. Attention is also drawn to the carbon deposition risk by thermodynamic analysis of the gas composition, suggesting to keep the water to ethanol ratio higher than 3. The as-developed model can serve as an effective tool for the optimization of the operating conditions and geometry design to avoid carbon deposition and improve the performance of ethanol-fuelled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Bin & Xu, Haoran & Tan, Peng & Zhang, Yuan & Xu, Xiaoming & Cai, Weizi & Chen, Meina & Ni, Meng, 2019. "Thermal modelling of ethanol-fuelled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 476-486.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:237:y:2019:i:c:p:476-486
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.01.025
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030626191930025X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.01.025?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chen, Bin & Xu, Haoran & Zhang, Houcheng & Tan, Peng & Cai, Weizi & Ni, Meng, 2017. "A novel design of solid oxide electrolyser integrated with magnesium hydride bed for hydrogen generation and storage – A dynamic simulation study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 260-272.
    2. Cinti, Giovanni & Desideri, Umberto, 2015. "SOFC fuelled with reformed urea," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 242-253.
    3. Perna, A. & Minutillo, M. & Jannelli, E. & Cigolotti, V. & Nam, S.W. & Han, J., 2018. "Design and performance assessment of a combined heat, hydrogen and power (CHHP) system based on ammonia-fueled SOFC," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 1216-1229.
    4. Chen, Xiaoguang & Khanna, Madhu, 2018. "Effect of corn ethanol production on Conservation Reserve Program acres in the US," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 124-134.
    5. Xu, Youjie & Wang, Donghai, 2017. "Integrating starchy substrate into cellulosic ethanol production to boost ethanol titers and yields," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 196-203.
    6. Steil, M.C. & Nobrega, S.D. & Georges, S. & Gelin, P. & Uhlenbruck, S. & Fonseca, F.C., 2017. "Durable direct ethanol anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 180-186.
    7. Osmieri, Luigi & Escudero-Cid, Ricardo & Monteverde Videla, Alessandro H.A. & Ocón, Pilar & Specchia, Stefania, 2018. "Application of a non-noble Fe-N-C catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 226-237.
    8. Chen, Bin & Xu, Haoran & Ni, Meng, 2017. "Modelling of SOEC-FT reactor: Pressure effects on methanation process," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 814-824.
    9. Khanna, M., 2018. "Effect of Corn Ethanol Production on Conservation Reserve Program Acres in the US," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277014, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Abdellah Essaghouri & Zezhi Zeng & Bingguo Zhao & Changkun Hao & Yuping Qian & Weilin Zhuge & Yangjun Zhang, 2022. "Effects of Radial and Circumferential Flows on Power Density Improvements of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Wang, Chaoyang & Chen, Ming & Liu, Ming & Yan, Junjie, 2020. "Dynamic modeling and parameter analysis study on reversible solid oxide cells during mode switching transient processes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    3. Wang, Chao & Liao, Mingzheng & Liang, Bo & Jiang, Zhiqiang & Zhong, Weilin & Chen, Ying & Luo, Xianglong & Shu, Riyang & Tian, Zhipeng & Lei, Libin, 2021. "Enhancement effect of catalyst support on indirect hydrogen production from propane partial oxidation towards commercial solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    4. Xiao-Long Wu & Hong Zhang & Hongli Liu & Yuan-Wu Xu & Jingxuan Peng & Zhiping Xia & Yongan Wang, 2022. "Modeling Analysis of SOFC System Oriented to Working Condition Identification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Xu, Qidong & Xia, Lingchao & He, Qijiao & Guo, Zengjia & Ni, Meng, 2021. "Thermo-electrochemical modelling of high temperature methanol-fuelled solid oxide fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 291(C).
    6. Yang, Yang & Liu, Fangsheng & Han, Xu & Wang, Xinxin & Dong, Dehua & Chen, Yan & Feng, Peizhong & Khan, Majid & Wang, Shaorong & Ling, Yihan, 2022. "Highly efficient and stable fuel-catalyzed dendritic microchannels for dilute ethanol fueled solid oxide fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    7. Zhu, Pengfei & Wu, Zhen & Yang, Yuchen & Wang, Huan & Li, Ruiqing & Yang, Fusheng & Zhang, Zaoxiao, 2023. "The dynamic response of solid oxide fuel cell fueled by syngas during the operating condition variations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    8. Li, Bangxin & Irvine, John T.S. & Ni, Jiupai & Ni, Chengsheng, 2022. "High-performance and durable alcohol-fueled symmetrical solid oxide fuel cell based on ferrite perovskite electrode," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PB).
    9. Wang, Chen & He, Qijiao & Li, Zheng & Yu, Jie & Bello, Idris Temitope & Zheng, Keqing & Han, Minfang & Ni, Meng, 2024. "A novel in-tube reformer for solid oxide fuel cell for performance improvement and efficient thermal management: A numerical study based on artificial neural network and genetic algorithm," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    10. Zeng, Zezhi & Qian, Yuping & Zhang, Yangjun & Hao, Changkun & Dan, Dan & Zhuge, Weilin, 2020. "A review of heat transfer and thermal management methods for temperature gradient reduction in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    11. Mendiburu, Andrés Z. & Lauermann, Carlos H. & Hayashi, Thamy C. & Mariños, Diego J. & Rodrigues da Costa, Roberto Berlini & Coronado, Christian J.R. & Roberts, Justo J. & de Carvalho, João A., 2022. "Ethanol as a renewable biofuel: Combustion characteristics and application in engines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    12. Abdellah Essaghouri & Zezhi Zeng & Bingguo Zhao & Changkun Hao & Yuping Qian & Weilin Zhuge & Yangjun Zhang, 2022. "Influence of Radial Flows on Power Density and Gas Stream Pressure Drop of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-21, October.
    13. Guo, Meiting & Ru, Xiao & Yang, Lin & Ni, Meng & Lin, Zijing, 2022. "Effects of methane steam reforming on the mechanical stability of solid oxide fuel cell stack," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    14. Wu, Zhen & Tan, Peng & Chen, Bin & Cai, Weizi & Chen, Meina & Xu, Xiaoming & Zhang, Zaoxiao & Ni, Meng, 2019. "Dynamic modeling and operation strategy of an NG-fueled SOFC-WGS-TSA-PEMFC hybrid energy conversion system for fuel cell vehicle by using MATLAB/SIMULINK," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 567-579.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Johnson, David R. & Geldner, Nathan B. & Liu, Jing & Baldos, Uris Lantz & Hertel, Thomas, 2023. "Reducing US biofuels requirements mitigates short-term impacts of global population and income growth on agricultural environmental outcomes," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    2. Han, Guang & Niles, Meredith T., 2023. "An adoption spectrum for sustainable agriculture practices: A new framework applied to cover crop adoption," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    3. Austin, K.G. & Jones, J.P.H. & Clark, C.M., 2022. "A review of domestic land use change attributable to U.S. biofuel policy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    4. Spawn-Lee, Seth A. & Lark, Tyler J. & Gibbs, Holly & Houghton, Richard A. & Kucharik, Christopher J & Malins, Chris & Pelton, Rylie & Robertson, G. Philip, 2021. "Refuting recent claims of an improved carbon intensity of U.S. corn ethanol," EcoEvoRxiv cxhz5, Center for Open Science.
    5. Jennifer Ifft & Deepak Rajagopal & Ryan Weldzuis, 2019. "Ethanol Plant Location and Land Use: A Case Study of CRP and the Ethanol Mandate," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(1), pages 37-55, March.
    6. Orlando Corigliano & Leonardo Pagnotta & Petronilla Fragiacomo, 2022. "On the Technology of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Energy Systems for Stationary Power Generation: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-73, November.
    7. Jacqueline Amaya & Emily Bednarski & Allison Guccione & Zachary Raniszeski & Megan Tierney & Samantha Trajcevski & Isabella Waite & Robert J. Brecha, 2024. "The Food, Energy, and Water Nexus through the Lens of Electric Vehicle Adoption and Ethanol Consumption in the United States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-19, June.
    8. Subotić, Vanja & Stoeckl, Bernhard & Lawlor, Vincent & Strasser, Johannes & Schroettner, Hartmuth & Hochenauer, Christoph, 2018. "Towards a practical tool for online monitoring of solid oxide fuel cell operation: An experimental study and application of advanced data analysis approaches," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 748-761.
    9. Le, Hoanh & Gálvez-Soriano, Oscar, 2024. "Impact Of The Renewable Fuel Standard On Midwest Farmland Values," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343763, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    10. Mary Ann Cunningham, 2022. "Climate Change, Agriculture, and Biodiversity: How Does Shifting Agriculture Affect Habitat Availability?," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-13, August.
    11. Li, Bangxin & Irvine, John T.S. & Ni, Jiupai & Ni, Chengsheng, 2022. "High-performance and durable alcohol-fueled symmetrical solid oxide fuel cell based on ferrite perovskite electrode," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PB).
    12. Dhiman, Saurabh Sudha & David, Aditi & Braband, Vanessa W. & Hussein, Abdulmenan & Salem, David R. & Sani, Rajesh K., 2017. "Improved bioethanol production from corn stover: Role of enzymes, inducers and simultaneous product recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 1420-1429.
    13. Tera, Ibrahim & Zhang, Shengan & Liu, Guilian, 2024. "A conceptual hydrogen, heat and power polygeneration system based on biomass gasification, SOFC and waste heat recovery units: Energy, exergy, economic and emergy (4E) assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    14. Lee, Boreum & Park, Junhyung & Lee, Hyunjun & Byun, Manhee & Yoon, Chang Won & Lim, Hankwon, 2019. "Assessment of the economic potential: COx-free hydrogen production from renewables via ammonia decomposition for small-sized H2 refueling stations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1-1.
    15. Al-Hamed, Khaled H.M. & Dincer, Ibrahim, 2021. "A novel ammonia solid oxide fuel cell-based powering system with on-board hydrogen production for clean locomotives," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    16. Chen, Yanbo & Luo, Yu & Shi, Yixiang & Cai, Ningsheng, 2020. "Theoretical modeling of a pressurized tubular reversible solid oxide cell for methane production by co-electrolysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    17. Li, Yu & Kesharwani, Rajkamal & Sun, Zeyi & Qin, Ruwen & Dagli, Cihan & Zhang, Meng & Wang, Donghai, 2020. "Economic viability and environmental impact investigation for the biofuel supply chain using co-fermentation technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    18. Xiao, Gang & Sun, Anwei & Liu, Hongwei & Ni, Meng & Xu, Haoran, 2023. "Thermal management of reversible solid oxide cells in the dynamic mode switching," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    19. Silva-Mosqueda, Dulce María & Elizalde-Blancas, Francisco & Pumiglia, Davide & Santoni, Francesca & Boigues-Muñoz, Carlos & McPhail, Stephen J., 2019. "Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell under internal reforming: Critical operating conditions, associated problems and their impact on the performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 625-640.
    20. Giap, Van-Tien & Lee, Young Duk & Kim, Young Sang & Ahn, Kook Young, 2020. "A novel electrical energy storage system based on a reversible solid oxide fuel cell coupled with metal hydrides and waste steam," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:237:y:2019:i:c:p:476-486. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.