The effect of H&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;S on internal dry reforming in biogas fuelled solid oxide fuel cells

Wasajja, H.; Saadabadi, S.A.; Illathukandy, Biju; Lindeboom, R.E.F.; van Lier, J.B.; Aravind, P.V.

doi:10.1002/ese3.1021

The effect of H₂S on internal dry reforming in biogas fuelled solid oxide fuel cells

Title

The effect of H₂S on internal dry reforming in biogas fuelled solid oxide fuel cells

Author

Wasajja, H. (TU Delft Sanitary Engineering; Ndejje University)
Saadabadi, S.A. (TU Delft Energy Technology)
Illathukandy, Biju (Indian Institute of Technology Delhi; Government Engineering College)
Lindeboom, R.E.F. (TU Delft Sanitary Engineering)
van Lier, J.B. (TU Delft Sanitary Engineering)
Aravind, P.V. (TU Delft Energy Technology; Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)

Date

2021

Abstract

Internal dry reforming of methane is envisaged as a possibility to reduce on capital and operation costs of biogas fuelled solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) system by using the CO₂ present in the biogas. Due to envisaged internal dry reforming, the requirement for biogas upgrading becomes obsolete, thereby simplifying the system complexity and increasing its technology readiness level. However, impurities prevailing in biogas such as H₂S have been reported in literature as one of the parameters which affect the internal reforming process in SOFCs. This research has been carried out to investigate the effects of H₂S on internal dry reforming of methane on nickel-scandia-stabilised zirconia (Ni-ScSZ) electrolyte supported SOFCs. Results showed that at 800°C and a CH₄:CO₂ ratio of 2:3, H₂S at concentrations as low as 0.125 ppm affects both the catalytic and electric performance of a SOFC. At 0.125 ppm H₂S concentration, the CH₄ reforming process is affected and it is reduced from over 95% to below 10% in 10 h. Therefore, future biogas SOFC cost reduction seems to become a trade-off between biogas upgrading for CO₂ removal and biogas cleaning of impurities to facilitate efficient internal dry reforming.