Methane-free biogas for direct feeding of solid oxide fuel cells

By Leone, P.; Lanzini, A.; Santarelli, M.; Calà¬, M.; Sagnelli, F.; Boulanger, A.; Scaletta, A. & Zitella, P.
Published in Journal of Power Sources NULL 2010

Abstract

This paper deals with the experimental analysis of the performance and degradation issues of a Ni-based anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell fed by a methane-free biogas from dark-anaerobic digestion of wastes by pastry and fruit shops. The biogas is produced by means of an innovative process where the biomass is fermented with a pre-treated bacteria inoculum (Clostridia) able to completely inhibit the methanization step during the fermentation process and to produce a H2/CO2 mixture instead of conventional CH4/CO2 anaerobic digested gas (bio-methane). The proposed biogas production route leads to a biogas composition which avoids the need of introducing a reformer agent into or before the SOFC anode in order to reformate it.

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