Electricity production from lignocellulosic biomass by direct coupling of a gasifier and a Nickel/Yttria-stabilized Zirconia-based solid oxide fuel cell. Part 1: From gas production to direct electricity production

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2017-08, Vol.42 (33), p.21215-21225
• Main Authors: Ricoul, F., Subrenat, A., Joubert, O., Le Gal La Salle, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomass; Condensed Matter; Fuel cell; Gasification; Materials Science; Physics; Syngas
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.06.236

This work presents the direct coupling of a gasification pilot according to the patented concept by S3D Company and of a Ni-YSZ-based SOFC. The composition of gas issued from the gasifier is rather stable, with H2 ≈ 15%, CO ≈ 15%, CH4 ≈ 1%, CO2 ≈ 20% and N2 ≈ 49%. Before injecting directly the gas on the cell, a preliminary test of the home-made cell consisting of an industrial Fiaxell Nickel/Yttria-stabilized Zirconia-based anode-electrolyte assembly covered by praseodymium nickelate oxide was performed with H2N2 mixtures. The cell is tested at 750 °C and 850 °C, with a maximum power density of 1.4 W cm−2 at 850 °C when fueled with a 76%–24% H2Ar mixture. The effect of the dilution of the gas is also studied, and validates the use of a bag containing the gas issued from the gasifier. In these conditions, using exclusively the fuel issued from biomass, without any additional purification steps, maximum power densities of 340 mW cm−2 and 113 mW cm−2 can be obtained at 850 °C and 750 °C respectively. [Display omitted] •Direct use of syngas generated by biomass gasification in a home-made Ni-YSZ-based SOFC.•A mixture of 76% – 24% H2Ar mixture leads to a power density of 1.4 W cm−2 at 850 °C.•With the syngas without purification a power density of 340 mW cm−2 is obtained at 850 °C.•The SOFC is tolerant to small amounts of H2S.