Parametric analysis of the exergoeconomic variables of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) coupled with a vapour-adsorption refrigeration system (VARS)

This paper aims at performing a parametric analysis of the thermoeconomics costs associated with an integrated solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system with a vapour-adsorption refrigeration (VAR) system. Particular emphasis is put on the cost of the SOFC's product (i.e. the electrical energy) and on the cost of the VAR's product (i.e. the cooling effect). In order to do so, an hybrid system simulator was constructed to determine the influence of SOFC operating parameters: current density, inlet flow temperature, fuel utilization factor and steam to carbon ratio, on the exergy-based costs of the products as well as on the exergoeconomic factors. Results of the analysis show that an energy-based costing can lead to overvaluing the cost of an energy asset. Furthermore, the minimum exergy-based unit cost of electricity is 14 $/GJ and of cooling is 16 $/GJ. The exergoeconomic factor of the VAR systems is the most affected by the operating variables. From this study, it is concluded that production of cold is not highly cost-effective under the operating conditions studied herein.