Development of Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Modules and Systems

• Main Authors: Nishi, Junya, Kano, Jiro, Nishiwaki, Futoshi, Inagaki, Toru, Yamasaki, Satoru, Shibata, Makoto, Hosoi, Kei
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1938-5862; 1938-6737
• DOI: 10.1149/1.2729028

The Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc. and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation started a joint research project for developing intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells in 2001. High performance disk-type cells with lanthanum gallate- based electrolyte and a seal-less cell-stack design enable high efficiency operation at temperatures below 800{degree sign}C. The 4th generation 1 kW-class module with internal manifolds was developed and the electrical efficiency of 54%HHV-DC was achieved in 2005. In the first durability test of the 4th generation 1 kW-class module carried out for 4,200 hours in 2006, the voltage degradation rate was about 0.5%/1,000hours. In parallel, the development of 10 kW-class module and CHP system has been in progress since 2004. 10 kW-class module test was carried out and the efficiency of 50%HHV at electric power output of 12.6 kW-DC was achieved in 2006. The field test of 10kW-class CHP system will be carried out in FY2007.