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Operation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based Power System with Ammonia as a Fuel: Experimental Test and System Design

Author

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  • Linda Barelli

    (Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

  • Gianni Bidini

    (Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

  • Giovanni Cinti

    (Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

Abstract

Ammonia has strong potentialities as sustainable fuel for energy applications. NH 3 is carbon free and can be synthetized from renewable energy sources (RES). In Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, NH 3 reacts electrochemically thereby avoiding the production of typical combustion pollutants such as NOx. In this study, an ammonia-fueled solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) system design is proposed and a thermodynamic model is developed to evaluate its performance. A SOFC short stack was operated with NH 3 in a wide range of conditions. Experimental results are implemented in the thermodynamic model. Electrical efficiency of 52.1% based on ammonia Lower Heating Value is calculated at a net power density of 0.36 W cm FC −2 . The operating conditions of the after burner and of the ammonia decomposition reactor are studied by varying the values of specific parameters. The levelized cost of energy of 0.221 $ kWh −1 was evaluated, as introduced by the International Energy Agency, for a system that operates at nominal conditions and at a reference power output of 100 kW. This supports the feasibility of ammonia-fueled SOFC systems with reference to the carbon free energy market, specifically considering the potential development of green ammonia production.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Barelli & Gianni Bidini & Giovanni Cinti, 2020. "Operation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based Power System with Ammonia as a Fuel: Experimental Test and System Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:23:p:6173-:d:450313
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhan Xu & Ning Zhao & Stuart Hillmansen & Clive Roberts & Yan Yan, 2022. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Hydrogen Storage Technologies for Railway Engineering: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Duarte, Miguel & Holz, Laura I.V. & Fernandes, Celina & Ribeirinha, Paulo & Fagg, Duncan P. & Mendes, Adélio, 2024. "Modelling ammonia and nitrous oxide decomposition reactions in solid oxide fuel cells for combined energy generation and treatment of flue gas streams," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 368(C).
    4. Phan Anh Duong & Borim Ryu & Chongmin Kim & Jinuk Lee & Hokeun Kang, 2022. "Energy and Exergy Analysis of an Ammonia Fuel Cell Integrated System for Marine Vessels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, May.
    5. Petronilla Fragiacomo & Francesco Piraino & Matteo Genovese & Orlando Corigliano & Giuseppe De Lorenzo, 2023. "Experimental Activities on a Hydrogen-Powered Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System and Guidelines for Its Implementation in Aviation and Maritime Sectors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-25, July.

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    Keywords

    ammonia; SOFC; system; model; stack test;
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