Fuel composition influences on exergetic performance of a standalone internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell

An approach to resolve global warming and fuel resource depletion, is maintaining biofuels like biogas and syngas from biomass gasification in internal reforming solid oxide fuel cells. In this research effects of fuel composition on exergetic performance of standalone SOFC are investigated. Biogas, syngas and pure methane are compared in terms of efficiency and exergy destruction. Results show that pure methane has the highest efficiency in atmospheric and pressurized applications. Syngas efficiency is the least among three cases specially in high pressure conditions due to higher rate of air and compressor work required.