Experimental analysis of performance degradation of micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells fed by different fuel mixtures

Journal of Power Sources, Volume 196, Issue 1, 1 January 2011, Pages 301-312

Experimental analysis of performance degradation of micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells fed by different fuel mixtures

F. Calise (a), G. Restucccia (a), N. Sammes (b)

giulio.restuccia@unina.it

a DETEC - University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy

b Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, CO 80401, USA

Abstract

Analyzes the thermodynamic and electrochemical dynamic performance of an anode supported micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) fed by different types of fuel.

The micro-tubular SOFC used is anode supported, consisting of a NiO and Gd0.2Ce0.8O2−x (GDC) cermet anode, thin GDC electrolyte, and a La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−y (LSCF) and GDC cermet cathode. Tests on the micro-SOFC were performed using H2, CO, CH4 and H2O in different combinations at 550 °C, to determine the cell polarization curves under several load cycles. Results of the tests were analyzed aiming at determining the sources of the cell performance degradation. Results indicate that the cell under investigation is particularly sensitive to the carbon deposition which significantly reduces cell performance, after few cycles, when fed by light hydrocarbons. A significant performance degradation is also detected when hydrogen is used as fuel.

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