News

2021-06-01

A gasifier-SOFC coupling test bench was developed at Graz University of Technology in order to investigate the operation of SOFCs with product gas from steam gasification with a more industrial-relevant SCR (approx. 2) and varying tar contents (2.8-4.8 g·Nm-3 gravimetric...

Project Description

Project Description

The objective is to develop a novel trigeneration system, BIO-CCHP, to produce energy, heat and cold with maximum efficiency and flexibility. It will include biomass gasification, a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) stack and a cooling machine.

This approach has a significant potential for the reduction of costs and offers a smart adaptation to energy demands, providing sustainable cold, which is in a growing demand.

For this purpose, gasification systems will be optimized for the coupling with a SOFC, broadening the range of biomass feedstock which can be employed. A high temperature gas cleaning method will be developed and optimized with tests at 6 different gasifiers. Long-term tests, coupled with CFD modelling, will allow to find low-degradation operation mode for the SOFC stack fed with a producer gas from different gasifier technologies.

Finally, a techno-economic analysis and optimization and an industrialization plan of BIO-CCHP will be conducted, including alternative solutions for the integration of cold and heat production with the SOFC.