Energy conversion system

The present invention relates to an energy conversion system comprising: - a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) unit (A) having an anode and a cathode side, configured for receiving a fuel (1) and steam of oxidant (4) and for converting a fraction of chemical power of the fuel (1) directly into electric power through one or more electrochemical reactions occurring on the anode and the cathode side of the SOFC unit (A) involving said fuel (1) and said oxidant (4), parts of the fuel (1) and of the steam of oxidant (4) being maintained unconverted following said electrochemical reactions; - a combustor unit (B) arranged to receive the unconverted fuel (5) and the unconverted oxidant (6) from the SOFC unit (A), configured for the combustion of the unconverted fuel (5) using the unconverted oxidant (6), thereby converting the unconverted fuel (5) and the unconverted oxidant (6) into product gas (10); - an expander unit (C) arranged to receive the product gas (10) exiting the combustor (B) and configured for expanding said product gas (10) exiting the combustor (B) into the flue gas (12) being; - a cooler unit (E) in thermal relationship with a heat sink (27) and configured for cooling said flue gas (12) exiting the expander unit (C); - a separator (F) for removing condensed species (15) from the cooled gas (14) exiting the cooler unit (E), thereby obtaining a recycled stream (18); and - a first compression unit (K) configured for increasing the pressure of said oxidant (26, 4, 8) to a value suitable for the SOFC unit (A) and the combustor unit (B).