An efficient coupling system using a thermophotovoltaic cell to harvest the waste heat from a reforming solid oxide fuel cell. (6th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dong, Qingchun; Cai, Ling; Liao, Tianjun; Zhou, Yinghui; Chen, Jincan
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 42:Number 27(2017)
• Page Start: 17221
• Page End: 17228
• Publication Date: 2017-07-06
• Subjects: Reforming solid oxide fuel cell -- Thermophotovoltaic cell -- Waste heat -- Performance evaluation -- Maximum power output density -- Parametric selective criterion; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.05.201
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The coupling system proposed here is composed of a reforming solid oxide fuel cell (R-SOFC) and a thermophotovoltaic cell (TPVC), where the synthesis gases (CH4 and CO) replacing H2 is used as fuel. The performance characteristics of the coupling system and R-SOFC are evaluated and compared. The optimal regions of the coupling system are determined and the parametric selection criteria are provided. The maximum power output densities of the R-SOFC-TPVC and SOFC-TPVC systems operated at 973–1273 K are calculated and compared with those of other SOFC-based coupling systems. It is found that the SOFC-TPVC or R-SOFC-TPVC system has some obvious advantages. Highlights: The proposed system consists of a reforming SOFC and a thermophotovoltaic cell. The maximum power density of the system is compared with that of a reforming SOFC. The optimal selective criteria of key parameters are provided. The system can efficiently harvest the waste heat from a reforming SOFC. The present system is revealed to have advantages over other SOFC-based systems.