Mixed-reactant, micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells: An experimental study

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2009-08, Vol.193 (1), p.39-48
• Main Authors: Akhtar, N., Decent, S.P., Loghin, D., Kendall, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air–fuel mixture; Applied sciences; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Micro-tubular; Mixed-reactant; Single-chamber; Solid oxide fuel cell
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.01.032

Anode-supported, micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells were prepared and operated, utilizing mixed-reactant (methane and air mixture) supply. The cells were composed of conventional materials, i.e. nickel, yttria-stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) as anode supported material, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as electrolyte, and lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) as cathode material. The cells were operated at various temperatures in between 550 and 800 °C with varying methane/air ratio (1:1–1:4.76). Cell performance was found to be strongly dependent on flow rate and mixing ratio. At 750 °C, the maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) of the cell was 1.05 V at a methane/air ratio of 1:4.76, with a maximum power output of 122 mW cm −2. The degradation test shows 0.05% performance loss per 24 h, thereafter, fluctuations in current density were observed due to oxidation–reduction cycles over nickel surface. It is therefore concluded that although the methane/air ratio of 1:4.76 gives the best performance but the long-term performance is not guaranteed under such conditions.