P-graph methodology for cost-effective reduction of carbon emissions involving fuel cell combined cycles

• Published in: Applied thermal engineering Vol. 28; no. 16; pp. 2020 - 2029
• Main Authors: Varbanov, Petar, Friedler, Ferenc
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biomass; CO 2 minimisation; Combined energy cycles; Energy; Energy efficiency; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Heat transfer; High-temperature fuel cell; Natural energy; P-graph; Process synthesis; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Energy efficiency; Process synthesis; High-temperature fuel cell; P-graph; CO 2 minimisation; Combined energy cycles; Costs; Buildings; Carbon dioxide; Biomass; High temperature; Algorithm; Carbon; Pollutant emission; Solid oxide fuel cell; Molten carbonate fuel cell; CO2 minimisation; Combined cycle; Renewable energy; High energy; Energetic efficiency; Energy conversion; Fossil fuel; Cost lowering; Fuel cell; Physical Sciences
• ISSN: 1359-4311; 1873-5606; 1873-5606
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2008.02.007

Fuel cells are under extensive investigation for building combined energy cycles due to the higher efficiency potential they offer. Two kinds of high-temperature fuel cells (HTFC) have been identified as best candidates for fuel cell combined cycles (FCCC) – molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The paper presents a procedure for the evaluation of energy conversion systems involving FCCC subsystems, utilising biomass and/or fossil fuels, providing a tool for evaluation of the trends in CO 2 emission levels and economics of such systems. This involves significant combinatorial complexity, efficiently handled by the P-graph algorithms. Promising system components are evaluated using the P-graph framework and a methodology for the synthesis of cost-optimal FCCC configurations is developed, accounting for the carbon footprint of the various technology and fuel options. The results show that such systems employing renewable fuels can be economically viable for a wide range of economic conditions, mainly due to the high energy efficiency of the FC-based systems.