Optimization of a SOFC-based Generation System on Biogas

The use of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and biogas allows to improve the energy security of an agricultural complex and its environmental friendliness. The paper is dedicated to the task of optimization of a SOFC-based generation system which operates on biogas from recycled agricultural refuse. The power supply system of a livestock complex has been considered. The complex is supplied with electricity from a centralized electric power system. The efficiency research of SOFC on biogas in a power supply system has been carried out. The optimization parameter is the SOFC's capacity. A methodology for selecting the optimal capacity of SOFC has been developed according to the economic efficiency criteria (discounted total costs of the livestock complex power supply per the estimated period) and environmental efficiency (the volume of biogas produced for the SOFC operation). The methodology is based on the modified successive concessions method and the bitwise search method. SOFC Database and a computer program have been developed to implement the methodology. The methodology has been tested on the example of a livestock complex with 2000 cows. The dependence of the optimization criteria on the capacity of SOFC has been established.