Direct internal methane reforming in biogas fuelled solid oxide fuel cell; the influence of operating parameters

Abstract

Abstract Internal dry reforming (IDR) of methane for biogas‐fed solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications has been experimentally investigated on planar Ni‐GDC (cermet anode) electrolyte‐supported cells. This study focuses on the effect of CO2 concentration, current density, operating temperature, and residence time on internal methane dry reforming. A single cell is fed with different CH4/CO2 mixture ratios between 0.6 and 1.5. Extra CO2 recovered from carbon capture plants can be utilized here as a reforming agent. The I‐V characterization curves are recorded at different operating conditions in order to determine the best electrochemical performance while the power production is maximized, and carbon deposition is suppressed. The outlet gas from the anode is analyzed by a micro gas chromatograph to investigate methane conversion inside the anode fuel channel and to understand its influence on the cell performance. Relatively long‐term experiments have been performed for all gas mixtures at 850°C under a current density of 2000 A m−2. The results indicate that when the cell is fed with biogas with an equimolar amount of CH4 and CO2, carbon deposition is prevented, and maximum power density is obtained.

Keywords

• biogas fuelled SOFC
• internal dry reforming
• solid oxide fuel cell
• waste to energy