Exergy Analysis of a Gasification-Based Combined Cycle with Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Cogeneration

Abstract

This paper performs an exergy analysis of a gasification combined cycle to improve its performance and power output. Coal gasification and combined cycle power generation are efficient ways in which coal can be used for power generation. The paper investigates the exergetic performance of the system to estimate the optimal operating conditions of a co-fired (coal and natural gas) combined cycle cogeneration power plant with a solid oxide fuel cell. The maximum fuel cell power output, combined cycle net work output, combined cycle exergetic efficiency, fuel utilization exergetic efficiency, sustainability index, CO₂ emissions, and exergy destruction are determined for the plant. The results provide useful new data to improve the efficiency of gasification combined cycle cogeneration.

Keywords:

• Energy
• Exergy efficiency
• Cogeneration
• SOFC
• Sustainability
• Power generation

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for financial support of this research.