Paper published in a book (Scientific congresses and symposiums)
Experimental investigation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) used in residential cogeneration applications
Paulus, Nicolas; Lemort, Vincent
2023 • In Proceedings of the 36th International Conference On Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems (ECOS2023)
[en] The much-needed energy transition brings special focus on fuel cell micro-combined Heat and Power (mCHP) systems for residential uses, one of which is a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), fed by natural gas, designed to provide continuously 1.5 kWel with an associated amazingly high expected Low heating Value (LHV) electrical efficiency of 60%. Fortunately, this power output can be modulated as desired down to 500 Wel. With this machine, heat can also be recovered to partially contribute to the heat demand of the household. One main advantage of this appliance is that the heat recovery system is designed to be purely optional and it can be shut down, removed or added as desired, even if the machine is running. The machine is driven and completely monitored by the manufacturer remotely.
This system has been installed in a laboratory environment and has been specifically instrumented in order to evaluate its performance at thermal loads (according to the electrical output power controlled remotely by the manufacturer). In this paper, focus is brought on the resulting thermal output and efficiencies, both thermal and electrical, which have also been modelled with great goodness of fit. With several electrical power outputs between the 500-1500 Wel range, this study shows total High Heating Value (HHV) total efficiencies up to 88-89% at minimal return temperatures (around 20°C) in the heat recovery circuit. Maximum LHV electrical efficiency has been found to be equal to 57% at nominal output power (regardless of the thermal loads), which is close to the manufacturer’s target of 60%.
Disciplines :
Energy
Author, co-author :
Paulus, Nicolas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Aérospatiale et Mécanique (A&M) ; Haute Ecole de la Province de Liège > Sciences et Techniques > Ingénieur Industriel
Lemort, Vincent ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Thermodynamique appliquée
Language :
English
Title :
Experimental investigation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) used in residential cogeneration applications
Publication date :
04 July 2023
Event name :
36th International Conference On Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems (ECOS2023)
Event place :
Las Palmas, Spain
Event date :
25/06/2023 - 30/06/2023
Audience :
International
Main work title :
Proceedings of the 36th International Conference On Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems (ECOS2023)
Publisher :
ECOS2023, Las Palmas, Spain
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Development Goals :
7. Affordable and clean energy 11. Sustainable cities and communities 13. Climate action
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