Application of a detailed dimensional solid oxide fuel cell model in integrated gasification fuel cell system design and analysis

► To control the SOFC internal temperatures within a safe operating range, the cooling air flow rate must be larger than that predicted by a non-dimensional SOFC model; this results in significant drop in overall IGFC system efficiency. ► Increasing the SOFC working voltage can improve IGFC system efficiency within SOFC operating constraints, but, cannot completely mitigate the efficiency penalty associated with meeting internal SOFC operating constraints. ► A novel SOFC module design in which air is cascaded in series through four stages of identical SOFC stacks can effectively reduce cooling air flow rate and achieve overall IGFC system efficiency that is close to the “ideal” performance prediction based on a non-dimensional SOFC model.