Assessment of fuel Interchangeability in Domestic Scale SOFC Systems Based on a Reactor Network Approach

Optimum design of SOFC systems requires the development/application of versatile and robust approaches able to handle diverse fuel patterns and complex thermochemistry. In the present work a computational methodology based on the reactor network approach is developed, targeting the thermochemical assessment of fuel flexibility in SOFC systems. SOFC operation on methane, biogas, and ethanol is considered. The methodology results in a detailed quantification of the impact of fuel interchangeability on syngas yield, reformer thermal efficiency, and emission levels. The approach saves computational time and resources when compared, for example, to full CFD modelling, thus providing the opportunity for quick parameterisation.