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Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA)
A Primer on SOFC Technology
Summary & Conclusions
The planar SOFC has been chosen for development under the Department of Energy's SECA program for the following reasons:
- Due to its high operating temperature, the SOFC is particularly well suited for IGFC power system applications, using either atmospheric-pressure or pressurized SOFC generator modules. Such systems are capable of very high electric efficiencies.
- The SOFC is compatible with CO2 sequestration, particularly when the SOFC modules are designed to maintain separated anode and cathode off-gas streams. Combined with oxy-combustion of the anode off-gas, this feature can simplify carbon capture by avoiding stream dilution with atmospheric N2.
- Due to its modular nature, the SOFC technology is well suited for the generation of power at levels from just a few kWe to multi-100 MWe, making it suitable for a wide range of applications and leveraging SECA program utility.
- The relatively high SOFC operating temperature facilitates on-cell hydrocarbon reformation. This capability, particularly in combination with high-methane syngas produced by advanced catalytic coal gasification, can be used to assist SOFC cooling, which results in the reduction of cell cooling-air supply requirements, increasing the power system electric efficiency and decreasing system cost.
- The SOFC materials of construction are very stable over time. This should lead to long cell life and stable performance, provided cell and stack seal integrity can be maintained.
- The planar SOFC technology has the potential for low cost/high volume manufacturing.
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Deepwater Technology
