A review of solid oxide fuel cell based hybrid cycles
Pranjal Kumar, Onkar Singh
Abstract
The power sector's concern for high efficiency and output has been pushing for newer thermodynamic systems working on appropriate thermodynamic cycles. For quite some time, direct energy conversion systems are seen as suitable options for power generation. Fuel cells in particular have exhibited potential and efforts are made to ensure the best output from them. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have direct electricity generation and the rejection of heat occurring simultaneously. The heat going as waste from SOFC can be used for running other energy systems to augment the total output from the combined arrangement having SOFC hybrid cycles. The low-temperature cycles like Kalina cycle, organic Rankine cycle (ORC) have been integrated with SOFC along with gas turbine (GT) based systems and engines. The sole aim of operating SOFC in hybrid mode is to ensure that the net amount of heat getting lost is recovered for overall performance improvement. This paper presents a review of the work done in the field of SOFC based hybrid systems, which is likely to be useful for those interested to continue further studies of SOFC.