• Energy Research
• Restricted close
• DE close
• CN close
• Journal of Power Sources close

Hydrogen storage and distribution will be two very important aspects of any renewable energy infrastructure that uses hydrogen as energy vector. The chemical storage of hydrogen in compounds like sodium borohydride (NaBH4) could play an important role in overcoming current difficulties associated with these aspects. Sodium borohydride is a very attractive material due to its high hydrogen content. In this paper, we describe a reactor where a stable cobalt based catalyst supported on a commercial Cordierite Honeycomb Monolith (CHM) is employed for the hydrolysis of alkaline stabilized NaBH4 (SBH) aqueous solutions. The apparatus is able to operate at up to 5 bar and 130 °C, providing a hydrogen generation rate of up to 32 L min-1.

Hydrogen storage and distribution will be two very important aspects of any renewable energy infrastructure that uses hydrogen as energy vector. The chemical storage of hydrogen in compounds like sodium borohydride (NaBH4) could play an important role in overcoming current difficulties associated with these aspects. Sodium borohydride is a very attractive material due to its high hydrogen content. In this paper, we describe a reactor where a stable cobalt based catalyst supported on a commercial Cordierite Honeycomb Monolith (CHM) is employed for the hydrolysis of alkaline stabilized NaBH4 (SBH) aqueous solutions. The apparatus is able to operate at up to 5 bar and 130 °C, providing a hydrogen generation rate of up to 32 L min-1.

Abstract A detailed computational model of a direct-flame solid oxide fuel cell (DFFC) is presented. The DFFC is based on a fuel-rich methane–air flame stabilized on a flat-flame burner and coupled to a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The model consists of an elementary kinetic description of the premixed methane–air flame, a stagnation-point flow description of the coupled heat and mass transport within the gas phase, an elementary kinetic description of the electrochemistry, as well as heat, mass and charge transport within the SOFC. Simulated current–voltage characteristics show excellent agreement with experimental data published earlier (Kronemayer et al., 2007 [10] ). The model-based analysis of loss processes reveals that ohmic resistance in the current collection wires dominates polarization losses, while electronic loss currents in the mixed conducting electrolyte have only little influence on the polarized cell. The model was used to propose an optimized cell design. Based on this analysis, power densities of above 200 mW cm −2 can be expected.

Abstract A detailed computational model of a direct-flame solid oxide fuel cell (DFFC) is presented. The DFFC is based on a fuel-rich methane–air flame stabilized on a flat-flame burner and coupled to a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The model consists of an elementary kinetic description of the premixed methane–air flame, a stagnation-point flow description of the coupled heat and mass transport within the gas phase, an elementary kinetic description of the electrochemistry, as well as heat, mass and charge transport within the SOFC. Simulated current–voltage characteristics show excellent agreement with experimental data published earlier (Kronemayer et al., 2007 [10] ). The model-based analysis of loss processes reveals that ohmic resistance in the current collection wires dominates polarization losses, while electronic loss currents in the mixed conducting electrolyte have only little influence on the polarized cell. The model was used to propose an optimized cell design. Based on this analysis, power densities of above 200 mW cm −2 can be expected.

Abstract In order to uncover the inner working mechanism and performance of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with biomass gasification syngas as fuel, a two dimensional SOFC multi-physical field model is established. This study makes up for the deficiency that the previous studies of coupling biomass gasification unit and SOFC stack mostly stay at the system level. The results show that the SOFC fueled by the syngas produced from gasification of biomass with steam as the agent has the best performance. The peak power density could achieve approximately 10240 W m−2. With the improvement of operating temperature, the peak power density of SOFC will be increased. At the temperature of 1123 K, the peak power density could achieve about 15128 W m−2. The average reaction rate of water gas shift (WGS) reaction is −29.73 mol m−3 s−1 when the operating temperature is 1123 K. This indicates that the WGS reaction will proceed in reverse direction at high temperatures, thereby reducing the hydrogen concentration. In addition, increase in the anode flux and decrease in the cell length lead to the increase of SOFC current density. In general, this work could provide guidance for the optimization and practical application of SOFC using biomass syngas as fuel.

Abstract In order to uncover the inner working mechanism and performance of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with biomass gasification syngas as fuel, a two dimensional SOFC multi-physical field model is established. This study makes up for the deficiency that the previous studies of coupling biomass gasification unit and SOFC stack mostly stay at the system level. The results show that the SOFC fueled by the syngas produced from gasification of biomass with steam as the agent has the best performance. The peak power density could achieve approximately 10240 W m−2. With the improvement of operating temperature, the peak power density of SOFC will be increased. At the temperature of 1123 K, the peak power density could achieve about 15128 W m−2. The average reaction rate of water gas shift (WGS) reaction is −29.73 mol m−3 s−1 when the operating temperature is 1123 K. This indicates that the WGS reaction will proceed in reverse direction at high temperatures, thereby reducing the hydrogen concentration. In addition, increase in the anode flux and decrease in the cell length lead to the increase of SOFC current density. In general, this work could provide guidance for the optimization and practical application of SOFC using biomass syngas as fuel.

Abstract In the 21st century biofuels will play an important role as alternative fuels in the transportation sector. In this paper different reforming options (steam reforming (SR) and autothermal reforming (ATR)) for the on-board conversion of bioethanol and biodiesel into a hydrogen-rich gas suitable for high temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cells are investigated using the simulation tool Aspen Plus. Special emphasis is placed on thermal heat integration. Methyl-oleate (C 19 H 36 O 2 ) is chosen as reference substance for biodiesel. Bioethanol is represented by ethanol (C 2 H 5 OH). For the steam reforming concept with heat integration a maximum fuel processing efficiency of 75.6% (76.3%) is obtained for biodiesel (bioethanol) at S/C = 3. For the autothermal reforming concept with heat integration a maximum fuel processing efficiency of 74.1% (75.1%) is obtained for biodiesel (bioethanol) at S/C = 2 and λ = 0.36 (0.35). Taking into account the better dynamic behaviour and lower system complexity of the reforming concept based on ATR, autothermal reforming in combination with a water gas shift reactor is considered as the preferred option for on-board reforming of biodiesel and bioethanol. Based on the simulation results optimum operating conditions for a novel 5 kW biofuel processor are derived.

Abstract In the 21st century biofuels will play an important role as alternative fuels in the transportation sector. In this paper different reforming options (steam reforming (SR) and autothermal reforming (ATR)) for the on-board conversion of bioethanol and biodiesel into a hydrogen-rich gas suitable for high temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cells are investigated using the simulation tool Aspen Plus. Special emphasis is placed on thermal heat integration. Methyl-oleate (C 19 H 36 O 2 ) is chosen as reference substance for biodiesel. Bioethanol is represented by ethanol (C 2 H 5 OH). For the steam reforming concept with heat integration a maximum fuel processing efficiency of 75.6% (76.3%) is obtained for biodiesel (bioethanol) at S/C = 3. For the autothermal reforming concept with heat integration a maximum fuel processing efficiency of 74.1% (75.1%) is obtained for biodiesel (bioethanol) at S/C = 2 and λ = 0.36 (0.35). Taking into account the better dynamic behaviour and lower system complexity of the reforming concept based on ATR, autothermal reforming in combination with a water gas shift reactor is considered as the preferred option for on-board reforming of biodiesel and bioethanol. Based on the simulation results optimum operating conditions for a novel 5 kW biofuel processor are derived.