PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF A BIOGAS SORPTION ENHANCED CHEMICAL LOOPING REFORMING PROCESS INTEGRATED WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE PEM FUEL CELL SYSTEM

Abstract

In this research, a biogas sorption enhanced chemical looping reforming (SECLR) process integrated with high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC)is analyzed. The thermodynamic concept and electrochemical model are used to identify the suitable operating conditions of the proposed process. Exergy and energy analyses are used to describe the effect of various parameters, such as reforming temperature, steam-to-biogas molar ratio, CaO-to-biogas molar ratio and NiO-to-biogas molar ratio, on the process performance. The exergy destruction of each unit is employed to identify the quality of energy that is used in each unit. The data obtained can be used to improve the energy and exergy efficiencies of the process. The simulation results show that the exergy efficiency of the process is improved from 16.60% to 26.72% when a process heat integration is applied.