SOFCOM Project: analysis of the SOFC DEMO plants in Torino (biogas)

摘要

SOFCOM is an applied research project (FCH JU Grant agreement no: 278798) devoted to demonstrate the technical feasibility, the efficiency and environmental advantages of CHP systems based on SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell technology) fed by different typologies of biogenous primary fuels (biogas and bio-syngas, locally produced) integrated by a process for the CO2 separation from the exhaust gases and Carbon reutilization. The main general objective of SOFCOM is to demonstrate the high interest of electrochemical systems based on high temperature fuel cells to operate as the core of future energy systems with renewable fuels and multi-product configuration, with particular care on CO2 management through C re-utilization in different processes (electrochemical, chemical, or biological as in SOFCOM). SOFCOM foresees two final demonstration of complete biogenous fuel-fed SOFC systems. The paper will deal with the DEMO 1 Torino (IT), field demonstration: the proof-of-concept SOFC system is able to operate with biogas produced in an industrial waste water treatment unit (WWTU). The plant will be in operation as CHP plant, with heat recovery from the exhaust for the production of hot services (hot water). Also, the plant will be completed with a CO2 separation from the anode exhaust and with a section of CO2 recovery for Carbon reutilization in a photo-bio-reactor for C storage in form of algae (CO2 sink).