Coupling and thermal integration of a solid oxide fuel cell with a magnesium hydride tank

A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based combined heat and power (CHP) system in the power range of 1 kWe fed by pure hydrogen stored in a MgH2 tank thermally integrated with the SOFC is presented. Different system configurations were first simulated to compare the system performances in each case. An experimental setup specially designed to test the thermal integration of a magnesium hydride tank with a 1 kWe SOFC stack is fully described. The difficulties encountered during the coupling tests are useful to understand how to solve these technical issues.

► Experimental coupling and thermal integration of a MgH2 tank with a SOFC stack.
► Different coupling configurations are investigated by modeling.
► Experimental difficulties encountered are useful to solve some technical issues.