Efficiencies of olive kernel gasification combined cycle with solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)

The integration of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) in biomass gasification–turbine processes was studied for the estimation of the overall electrical efficiency. Since both processes operate close to 1000 °C, heat integration is one of the benefits of the proposed scheme. Heat generated at the SOFC and the afterburner of the integrated process was found sufficient to cover the demands of gasification and reforming, in any examined case, while a significant heat excess was available to a bottoming thermal cycle for additional power generation. The electrical efficiency of the integrated process was found to overcome 60% of the low heating value of the biomass feed. SOFC's contribution to the overall electrical power output was of the order of 70%, and fuel utilization at the SOFC was recognized as the most crucial operational parameter.