Optimization of Flow Rate for Improving Performance and Stability of Ni-YSZ based Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Using CH4 Fuel

• Published in: International journal of electrochemical science 2011-05, Vol.6 (5), p.1617-1629
• Main Authors: Myung, Jae-ha, Ko, Hyun Jun, Lee, Jong-Jin, Hyun, Sang-Hoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CH4; durability test; Ni-based anode supported unit cell; Solid oxide fuel cell
• ISSN: 1452-3981; 1452-3981
• DOI: 10.1016/S1452-3981(23)15097-8

The advantages of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), compared with other types of fuel cells, include their high energy conversion efficiency and their utilization of hydrocarbon fuels without reformers. Although conventional Ni-based cermet anodes have commonly been used as an anode material with high catalytic properties for H2 fuel, the carbon deposition in Ni-YSZ anodes when hydrocarbon fuels are used directly is a critical problem that results in the destruction of the anode microstructure and abrupt decline in cell performance. Our research focuses on optimizing the flow rate of CH4-fueled Ni-YSZ anode/YSZ electrolyte/LSM-YSZ cathode type SOFC unit cells for improving cell performance and better durability. A high power density of 0.75 Wcm-2 at 800 oC, 0.5 Wcm-2 at 700 oC and 0.4 Wcm-2 at 650 oC using CH4 fuel as well as excellent durability were obtained via optimization of CH4 flow rate at 800 oC, 700 oC, and 650 oC operating temperatures. The different types of carbon that cause an increase or decrease in cell performance under certain operating conditions was also investigated.