Performance evaluations and parametric selection strategies of a three-stage solid oxide fuel cell-based integrated system providing power and cooling

Abstract A model of the three-stage integrated system consisting of a solid oxide fuel cell, an alkali metal thermal electric converter, and an absorption refrigerator is proposed, where the main irreversible losses are considered. Based on the respective parameter relations of three subsystems, the power output and efficiency of the integrated system are analytically derived. The influences of the current densities of the fuel cell and the converter, electrolyte thickness and temperature in the low-temperature side of the converter, and area ratio of the converter to the fuel cell on the systemic performance are discussed. The maximum power output density and optimally working regions of the integrated system are determined. The main novelties are to provide the optimum selective criteria of some vital parameters. It is expounded that the results obtained from the present model may be directly used to derive the optimum performances of the coupled system only comprised of both the fuel cell and the converter. It is found that the maximum power output density of the integrated system increase about 15.8% and 79.8%, compared with that of the coupled system and the solid oxide fuel cell, respectively.