Benefits and FeaturesLowest emissions of any power plant using natural gas- NOx - less than 0.5 ppm
- SOx - not measurable
- CO - not measurable
- VOCs - not measurable
- CO2 - inversely proportional to the high efficiencies, thus approximately 50% less than conventional technologies
High electrical efficiency (ac/LHV)- Achieved 46% @ 1 atm pressure with SOFC cogeneration systems
- Achieved 53%, target 55-60% @ 3 atm pressure for SOFC/GT hybrid systems
Easy handling, reliable function- Process air cooled stack, water independent
- Integrated in-stack natural gas reformer
- High system reliability already demonstrated
- Solid State Cells: No liquid electrolyte that can migrate, no corrosion
- Tubular Cell with Closed End: No high integrity seals needed
- Thermal Cycle Robustness: > 100 thermal cycles between ambient and 1000° C
- Stack Lifetime Potential: 5-10 years expected for early production systems based on cell demonstrated operating time of > 69,000 hours (~8 years)
- Voltage stability: Degradation < 0.1% per 1,000 hours
- Cogeneration and Combined Cycle Potential: SOFC module exhaust gas at >800° C
Comparison of Fuel Cells and Other Distributed Generation OptionsThe table compares tubular SOFC systems with other fuel cell systems and other distributed generation options of comparable size.
| PEM
| PAFC
| MCFC
| SOFC
| Micro-GT
| Diesel Engine
| Stirling Engine
|
|---|
Electrical efficiency using natural gas (net AC/LHV), %
| 35
| 40
| 45-50
| 45-50*
| 30
| 35
| 30
| Performance degradation,
%/1000 hrs
| >1
| 0.44
| 0.60
| <0.10
| 0.20
| 0.20
| na
| Emissions using natural gas:
NOx, g/MWh
| <20
| <10
| <10
| <10
| 300
| 700
| 200
| SOx, g/MWh
| <0.1
| <0.1
| <0.1
| <0.1
| 1
| 1
| 1
| Noise, dBA @ 10 m
| <60
| 60
| 65
| 65
| 65
| 80-90
| 60
| Water consumption, gal/MWh
| 0
| 90
| 88
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| Total fuel efficiency using natural gas
(net AC/LHV), %
| 35
| 65
| 70
| 80-85
| ~75
| ~78
| ~77
|
Data obtained from various published sources
* Target for pressurized SOFC hybrids is 70%
|