Cogeneration Via Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Although employment of fossil fuels for power generation may have seemed inevitable, fuel cells since have emerged; however, have been a sustainable energy means. Thanks to their several types, different characteristics and great performance, fuel cells have found a wide range of applications. Among fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells have been harnessed for the synthesis of valuable chemicals without compromising energy production in a cogeneration setup. It is possible to generate electricity while simultaneously producing syngas with different compositions. This is accomplished through the dry reforming of various fuels, such as CH4-CO2, pure CH4, and other hydrocarbon fuels, aided by selective oxidation. Although that being said, solid oxide fuel cells not only demand difficult operating conditions, but their components such as the cathode, electrolyte, anode, interconnects and sealants must also exhibit several essential bespoke properties. Another significant hurdle to the wider adoption of fuel cells, especially solid oxide fuel cells that utilize hydrogen as a key fuel, is the absence of a comprehensive infrastructure for the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen.