Durability of anode supported Solid Oxides Fuel Cells (SOFC) under direct dry-reforming of methane

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2013-03, Vol.220, p.254-263
• Main Authors: Lanzini, A., Leone, P., Guerra, C., Smeacetto, F., Brandon, N.P., Santarelli, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodes; Applied sciences; Biogas; Carbon; Carbon deposition; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Dry-reforming; Drying; Durability; electrochemistry; Electrodes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; General and physical chemistry; impedance; Methane; Monitors; oxides; Re-oxidation; Reactors; SOFC; Solid oxide fuel cells; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2013.01.003

► Durability of Ni–YSZ conventional anode supports under dry-reforming. ► Direct dry-reforming of methane in SOFCs. ► Carbon formation mechanics and morphology within Ni anodes fed by dry methane. ► CO2 mitigation for carbon formation in SOFC anodes. The present work investigates the performance and degradation mechanisms of a Ni-based anode supported Solid Oxides Fuel Cells (SOFC) operating at ∼800°C on direct internal reforming of dry CH4–CO2 mixtures. The catalytic properties of the anode support were first studied in a micro-reactor configuration to determine safe conditions (i.e., without carbon formation) under which a dry conversion of the methane can occur directly within the fuel cell. A full electrochemical characterization of complete cells followed to preliminarily assess their resistance towards carbon formation when operating on direct dry-reforming. Ageing tests of ∼300h each have been performed in galvanostatic mode, with impedance spectra taken every 50h of continuous operation to monitor the trend over the time of the different polarization contributions. Post-mortem microstructural analysis was carried out after each experiment to verify the morphology and nucleation of carbon deposited in the anode electrode.