Journal of Renewable Energy

Research Article

Optimal Operation Conditions for a Methane Fuelled SOFC and Microturbine Hybrid System

Table 1

Basic parameters of the components of the hybrid system and streams and blocks meaning in plant schemes.
Turbomachinery configurationRadial
Compression ratio3.9
Compressor isentropic efficiency0.75
Expander isentropic efficiency0.85
Air flow [kg/s]0.808
MTG mechanical power [kW]110
Rotation speed [rpm]64000
Maximum turbine inlet temperature [K]1250
Burner power [kW]300
SOFC configurationTubular
Anode thickness [mm]0.1
Cathode thickness [mm]2.2
Interconnection thickness [mm]0.085
Electrolyte thickness [mm]0.04
Combustion efficiency0.98
Heat exchanger efficiency0.87
Current density (dfc) [A/m2]2000–3600
Fuel utilization 0.7–0.9
Stream 1Cold compressed air entering the heat exchanger
Stream 2Hot compressed air entering the cathode
Stream 3Uncompressed CH4
Stream 4Compressed CH4
Stream 5CH4 and anode outlet mixture entering the anode
Stream 6Anode outlet
Stream 7Anode outlet mixing with CH4
Stream 8Anode outlet mixing with cathode outlet
Stream 9Cathode outlet
Stream 10Mixture entering the turbine
Stream 11Turbine outlet entering the heat exchanger
Stream 12Heat exchanger outlet
Stream 13CH4 and anode outlet mixture entering the prereformer
Stream 14Prereformer outlet entering the anode
Stream 15Afterburner outlet entering the turbine
Stream 16Mixer outlet
Block AAir compressor
Block BTurbine
Block CAlternator
Block DCH4 compressor
Block EHeat exchanger
Block FInverter
Block GSolid oxide fuel cell
Block HPrereformer
Block IAfterburner
Block JMixer