Solid oxide fuel cell power unit with partial oxidation reforming performance evaluation

Abstract

The paper includes a mathematical model for all solid oxide fuel cell power unit benchmark temperatures calculation as functions of the reformer air supply ratio. The conceptual engineering model consists of six nonlinear equations with six variables. The catalytic partial oxidation reformer/catalytic burner/heat-exchanger module for the solid oxide fuel cell power unit was tested and the experimental results were given. The simulation results obtained using the conceptual mathematical model correlate well with the experimental data. The catalytic partial oxidation reforming solid oxide fuel cell power unit efficiency as a function of the reformer air supply ratio was evaluated at the natural gas flow rate of four standard liters per minute.