FUEL CELLS FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION

Abstract

The goal of the project was to replace the energy the University of Arizona currently purchases from Tucson Electric Power (TEP) with cheaper, cleaner power from a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Natural gas is fed through a desulfurizer to remove sulfur and is then fed into a steam methane reformer where methane reacts with steam to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which is then fed to the fuel cell. In the fuel cell, hydrogen and methane are reacted with oxygen from the air, which produces water and some carbon dioxide. The waste stream from the fuel cell containing steam, carbon dioxide, and unreacted compounds is fed to an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) which generates more energy by removing heat from the waste stream. Water is condensed out through the ORC and the gaseous stream is scrubbed of carbon dioxide before being released to the atmosphere. This plant is not economically feasible due to the high capital cost as well as the yearly operating costs exceeding what the university currently pays for the same amount of electricity.