Ammonia-fed solid oxide fuel cell-polygen system: Techno-economic analysis and optimization

Jinbo Qu, Yongming Feng, Yuanqing Zhu, Kun Ge, Siew Hwa Chan and Bin Miao

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2025, vol. 211, issue C

Abstract: Ammonia is considered as one of the most promising alternative marine fuels, as high-efficiency energy conversion is crucial in ammonia-to-power pathways. A novel CCHP system is proposed to meet the combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP) demands of ships. The system integrates solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), pumped thermal energy storage, the Kalina cycle, the absorption refrigeration cycle, and batteries. Multi-objective optimizations are performed through parameter and sensitivity analysis employing validated models. The system achieved total electrical efficiency of 69.5 % and net electricity output 97.4 kW, respectively. Additionally, the system provides cooling output of 78.7 kW, and heat output of 11.5 kW. The combined heat and electrical efficiency reaches 77.7 %. Techno-economic analysis uncovered key cost drivers, with the SOFC subsystem, particularly the SOFC stack, as the most expensive. Fuel costs account for the majority of the total expense. Case analysis are performed to compare green and gray ammonia feedstocks showing a higher levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for the green ammonia-fed system. Furthermore, the imposition of carbon increases the LCOE of gray ammonia-fed systems. Notably, at a carbon tax of $30/ton, the LCOE of the gray ammonia-fed system equals that of the green ammonia-fed system, at $0.176/kWh. This study provides valuable insights into the maritime application of SOFC-based systems and offers comprehensive understanding of their technical and economic feasibility within emerging energy and environmental paradigms.

Keywords: Solid oxide fuel cell; Combined cooling-heat-power system; Pump thermal energy storage; Kalina-absorption refrigeration combined cycle; Ammonia and ammonia economy; Multi-objective optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032124010402
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:rensus:v:211:y:2025:i:c:s1364032124010402

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/bibliographic
http://www.elsevier. ... 600126/bibliographic

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.115314

Access Statistics for this article

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews is currently edited by L. Kazmerski

More articles in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().