Title:
Sustainability of SOFC Integration with Anaerobic Digestion: a Comprehensive Analysis of Dimensioning, Technical and Energy Efficiency
Author(s):
Corigliano, O., Fragiacomo, P.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The objective of this paper is to study and analyze an integrated Anaerobic Digester–SOFC system, focusing on synergizing this integration to achieve a sustainable and energy-efficient waste-to-energy solution. Through detailed numerical modeling and simulation, this study aims to determine the plant dimensions and conduct comprehensive energy analyses. The simulation model encompasses the anaerobic digester (AD) unit and the SOFC Balance of Plant (BoP) synergistically to evaluate the integration and performance of the entire energy plant. The calculation pathway involves determining operational parameters based on specific variables such as the net electric power produced by the SOFC system or the amount of biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion unit. Three types of biomass—sewage sludge, slaughter waste, and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW)—are considered, all producing biogas with about 60% methane content. The reactor volume required is approximately 24,000 m³ per 1 kg/s of biogas, processing a daily organic substrate of around 900 m³. The calculations reveal a system electric efficiency of 52% and a thermal efficiency of 39%, under the most favorable conditions. In the integrated DA-SOFC layout, considering all the possible energy absorption of a typical facility, the system generates a net electrical energy of 1.28e3 kJ/kgsub and a net thermal energy of 8.8e2 kJ/kgsub, corresponding to a net 47% electric and 35% thermal efficiency respectively.
Keywords:
anaerobic digestion, bioenergy, biogas, energy, fuel cell, combined heat and power generation (CHP)
Topic:
Biomass, Bio-based Products and Bioenergy Integration
Subtopic:
Biomass integration into energy systems
Event:
32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3BO.9.4
Pages:
380 - 391
ISBN:
978-88-89407-24-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-3BO.9.4
Price:
FREE
