SYSTEM ANALYSIS OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL UNIT

摘要

A preliminary design and cost estimate of a 500 kW SOFC commercial unit was conducted to assess its economic potential for distributed power generation. The stacks used were of planar design based on the thin electrolyte technology. The study results indicate that the optimum operating temperature for the thin electrolyte is 800C, the product can be produced at $700-800/kW with 55-60% overall electric efficiency (LHV), and the cost of electricity (5-6 cents/kWh based on $4/MMBtu retail natural gas price and 25% annual capital recovery) is sufficiently low to capture the distributed generation market.