Volume 65

Numerical Evaluation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell–Micro Gas Turbine Hybrid System under Different Dry Reforming Fuel Compositions Maria Clara de Jesus Vieira, Ward De Paepe

Abstract

The decarbonization of stationary power requires efficient systems able to use unconventional fuels. Hybridization of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with micro￾gas turbines (mGTs) is a promising option, combining high efficiency with fuel flexibility. The performance of such hybrids with CO₂-rich flare-gas surrogates remains insufficiently characterized. This work simulates an SOFC–mGT hybrid in Aspen with an external dry reformer, operated on CH₄/CO₂ blends. Stack current is linked to anode-inlet H₂+CO flow and fuel utilization (U), with cell voltage from a polarization model. Results show that higher U increases efficiency as electrochemistry displaces afterburner firing, while the mGT delivers incremental efficiency by expanding hot, lean exhaust. Net efficiencies reach up to 2 times the efficiency of the traditional mGT with methane at representative conditions and up to 3.5 times at higher U. The 50/50 CH₄/CO₂ case provides the best compromise between efficiency and carbon balance, highlighting the potential of SOFC–mGT hybrids for flare-gas valorization.

Keywords Solid oxide fuel cell, Micro gas turbine, SOFC– mGT hybrid, Dry reforming, Aspen Plus modeling