Ethanol Utilization In Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: A Thermodynamic Approach

A thermodynamic analysis of electrical power generation in ethanol fueled solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) was made in the temperature range between 800-1200 K at atmospheric total pressure. A SOFC was considered being fed with the thermodynamic equilibrium products of ethanol a) steam reforming b) CO(2) reforming and c) partial oxidation. In each case, ethanol, steam, carbon oxides, methane and hydrogen were considered coexisting in the equilibrium mixture produced by different ethanol to oxidant (H(2)O, CO(2) and O(2)) initial ratios. The boundary conditions for carbonization were also examined. The theoretically derived values of the molar fractions of the species in equilibrium were used for the evaluation of the thermodynamic value of the electromotive force (emf) established in the cell under the equilibrium conditions. Finally, the maximum electrical power obtainable in SOFC was calculated in each case under consideration.