Performance Analysis of Pressurized SOFC-Based Generation System from an Energy, Exergy, and Economic Viewpoint

This work proposes and investigates a generation method founded on the pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The proposed system incorporates SOFC-based topping and bottoming cycles combining a Transcritical Carbon Dioxide Cycle, an Organic Rankine Cycle, and a system for using LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) for cold energy utilization. The integrated system is given a mathematical model. A computer program based on the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) has been built using the thermal model. The model is analyzed from the energy, exergy, and economic viewpoint. The model's output is verified by comparison with a published reference research. The maximum exergy destruction happens with a 15.29% exergy destruction in condenser 1. The economic analysis reveals that the total system cost varies between 61006$ and 70822$, corresponding to an interest rate of 8–12 (%).