Numerical investigation of an integrated biomass gasification and planar solid oxide fuel cell power plant

Current study aims to numerically investigate the steady state performance of integrated cycle consisting of biomass gasification process and planar type solid oxide fuel cell for different biomass moisture content and amount of air as gasification agent in the gasifier. Single stage lumped gasifier is analyzed by use of a modified thermodynamic equilibrium model, while the steady-state intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell model developed hear is one-dimensional which allows for monitoring of the temperature gradients along the cell length under different operating conditions. Complete electrochemical model, species mass balances and energy conservation equation beside the kinetics describing internal methane steam reforming and water-gas shift reactions organize the structure of fuel cell model. Developed model for two main parts of the integrated cycle are validated against the available experimental and numerical dates. Results indicated that the low heating value of the product syngas with 30% moisture content decreases with decreasing of the modified equivalence ratio and increasing of the biomass moisture content from 10 to 50%. Based on the obtained results, the cell electric power mitigates by increasing of the biomass moisture content.