Optimisation of Microwave-Induced Plasma (MIP) Gasification for the Integration with Fuel Cell Technology

Suthar, Jayan and Gupta, Gaurav and Wang, Xiaodong (2025) Optimisation of Microwave-Induced Plasma (MIP) Gasification for the Integration with Fuel Cell Technology. PhD thesis, School of Engineering.

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Abstract

Microwave-induced plasma (MIP) gasification is evaluated for integration with solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) to produce low-carbon power from biomass. Reliable SOFC operationrequires syngas with predictable H2:CO and low tar/contaminants; thermal gasifiers can meet this but often need downstream clean-up or reforming. Continuous datasets remain sparse, with limited operating maps and few assessments of SOFC readiness. This study defines viable regimes for continuous MIP gasification, strengthens chamber and dielectric design, quantifies syngas composition across oxidants, and assesses direct SOFC operation. An experimental–modelling approach is applied: batch and continuous trials at ~900–1000 °C; a bowl-based chamber; parametric studies of steam, CO2 and mixed feeds; global-equilibrium and equilibrium-bypass models; and CFD/CHT simulations linking flow, heat transfer and residence time to conversion. Balanced steam/CO2 mixtures at high temperature and residence time maximise cold-gas and process efficiencies while suppressing tar; pure CO2 raises syngas energy content but increases soot risk if temperature is insufficient. Representative continuous steam-plasma operation at ~900 °C and ~5.1 kW with 20 g min-1 feed delivers cold-gas efficiency of 102.57% and process efficiency of 55.81%. At the SOFC inlet, H2:CO ranged 0.39–1.82 (H2 9-34 vol%, CO 19–23 vol%), supporting stable operation at a 5 A limit across syngas types. The findings provide experimentally validated operating ranges and design guidance for scaling MIP gasification and enabling practical SOFC integration. Collectively, the operating envelopes and hardware criteria establish practical control targets for MIP–SOFC systems from prototype to field deployment.