Abstract
We have developed a $kW_e$ class liquid fuel based solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. Our final target is to develop the 1 $kW_e$ diesel based SOFC system for residential power generator(RPG). In this study, we present the conceptual design of SOFC system. System is composed of hot-box and cold-box. Planar typed SOFC stack, heat exchanger, combustor for stack tail gas, and fuel processor, such as fuel reformer and desulfurizer, are contained in the hot-box. And several balance of plants(BOP), such as fuel suppliers and controller, are contained in the cold-box. Before the SOFC system fabrication, we have already operated the selfsustaining fuel processor, and heat exchange of all heat-related components is simulated using ASPEN HYSYS, because heat maintenance and management in hot-box are important for stable operation of SOFC system. The self-sustained fuel processor was successfully operated for about 250 hours, and heat exchange is enough to operate the SOFC system.
