A Thermoeconomic Comparison Between SOFC Hybrid Systems and the Most Worldwide Used Technologies Towards Competitive Innovative Plants
This paper investigates options for highly efficient SOFC hybrid systems of different sizes. For this purpose different models of pressurised SOFC hybrids systems have been developed in the framework of the European Project “LARGE SOFC - Towards a Large SOFC Power Plant”. This project, coordinated by VTT Finland, counts numerous industrial partners such as Wartsila, Topsoe and Rolls-Royce FCS ltd. Starting from the RRFCS Hybrid System [1], considered as the reference case, several plant modifications have been investigated in order to improve the thermodynamic efficiency. The main options considered are (i) the integration of a recuperated micro gas turbine and (ii) the replacement of the cathodic ejector with a blower. The plant layouts are analysed in order to define the optimum solution in terms of operating parameters and thermodynamic performances. The study of a large size power plant (around 110 MWe) fed by coal and incorporated with SOFC hybrid systems is also conducted. The aim of this study is to analyse the sustainability of an Integrated Gasification Hybrid System from the thermodynamic and economic point of view in the frame of future large sized power generation. A complete thermoeconomic analysis of the most promising plants is carried out, taking into account variable and capital costs of the systems. The designed systems are compared from the thermodynamic and the thermoeconomic point of view with some of the common technologies used for distributed generation (gas turbines and reciprocating engines) and large size power generation (combined cycles and IGCC). The tool used for this analysis is WTEMP software, developed by the University of Genoa (DIMSET-TPG) [2], able to carry out a detailed thermodynamic and thermoeconomic analysis of the whole plants.