A techno-economic optimization study investigating optimal design and operating strategies of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) micro-combined heat and power (CHP) systems for application in U.S. residential dwellings is carried out through modeling and simulation of various anode-supported planar SOFC-based system configurations. Five different SOFC system designs operating from either methane or hydrogen fuels are evaluated in terms of their energetic and economic performance and their overall suitability for meeting residential thermal-to-electric ratios. Life cycle cost models are developed and employed to generate optimization objective functions which are utilized to explore the sensitivity of the life cycle costs to various system design and economic parameters and to select optimal system configurations and operating parameters for eventual application in single-family, detached residential homes in the U.S. The study compares the results against a baseline SOFC-CHP system that employs primarily external steam reforming of methane. The results of the study indicate that system configurations and operating parameter selections that enable minimum life cycle cost while achieving maximum CHP system efficiency are possible. Life cycle cost reductions of over 30% and CHP efficiency improvements of nearly 20% from the baseline system are detailed.
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ASME 2008 6th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology
June 16–18, 2008
Denver, Colorado, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Nanotechnology Institute
ISBN:
0-7918-4318-1
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Techno-Economic Optimal Design and Application of SOFC Systems for Residential Micro-CHP Applications in the U.S. Available to Purchase
Robert J. Braun
Robert J. Braun
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
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Robert J. Braun
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Paper No:
FuelCell2008-65063, pp. 509-527; 19 pages
Published Online:
June 22, 2009
Citation
Braun, RJ. "Techno-Economic Optimal Design and Application of SOFC Systems for Residential Micro-CHP Applications in the U.S.." Proceedings of the ASME 2008 6th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. ASME 2008 6th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Denver, Colorado, USA. June 16–18, 2008. pp. 509-527. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FuelCell2008-65063
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