A comprehensive review of solid oxide fuel cells operating on various promising alternative fuels

Fuel cells are considered to be one of the main sources of future power supply around the world because of their many desirable features; technology virtually free of pollution, the ability to use alternative fuels other than fossil fuels, and higher efficiencies than combustion engines. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) can operate on a wide range of fuels, particularly with coal syngas. However, several issues have to be solved before SOFC’s operating on coal syngas can be introduced into the market as a reliable and cost viable technology. Numerical simulations can be used in conjunction with experiments to assist in resolution of such barriers. In the present work, a three-dimensional model is used to study the performance of a SOFC running on coal syngas operating at various conditions. The code is capable of simulating several species in the fuel stream, such as methane, steam, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide. Due to the presence of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, simultaneous electrochemical oxidation of both fuels is considered. Internal reforming and water gas shift reaction are other processes that are taken into account. Simulations of typical anode-supported button cells are performed to assess the effects of cell operating temperature, fuel composition and CO electrochemistry on the performance of the button SOFCs.

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Comprehensive review of methane conversion in solid oxide fuel cells: Prospects for efficient electricity generation from natural gas

Progress in Energy and Combustion Science ◽

10.1016/j.pecs.2015.10.004 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 54 ◽

pp. 1-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 133

Author(s):

Turgut M. Gür

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Natural Gas ◽

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽

Methane Conversion ◽

Electricity Generation ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Oxide Fuel ◽

Comprehensive Review

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Morphological and Electrical Stability Studies of Pt/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Nanocomposite Thin Film Cathodes for Microfabricated Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

International Symposium on Microelectronics ◽

10.4071/isom-2017-wp23_165 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 (1) ◽

pp. 000360-000385

Author(s):

Michael Rottmayer ◽

Raj Singh ◽

Hong Huang

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽

High Performance ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ◽

Electronic Conduction ◽

Oxide Fuel ◽

Stabilized Zirconia ◽

Electrical Stability ◽

Promising Alternative

Abstract Microfabricated solid oxide fuel cells (mSOFCs) have recently gained attention as a promising technology for portable power applications. At present, porous Pt is the most common cathode being investigated for mSOFCs, which has poor bulk ionic conductivity and suffers from instability due to Ostwald ripening. Nanocomposite materials based on Pt/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) are a promising alternative approach for high performance mSOFCs because of their potential for providing mixed ionic-electronic conduction, improving adhesion to the YSZ electrolyte, and improving oxygen diffusion characteristics over a pure Pt material. The objective of this research was to systematically explore the processing of the nanocomposite thin films to achieve stable morphological and electrical properties for use as a mSOFC cathode. A percolation theory model was utilized to guide the processing of the Pt/YSZ composition, ensuring a networked connection of ionic- and electronic-conduction through the electrode. The Pt/YSZ nanocomposite cathodes were deposited by co-sputtering. It was observed that the Ar deposition pressure played a key role in stabilizing the morphology of the film to higher temperatures, up of 600°C. Analyses of the Pt/YSZ composite microstructure and composition by TEM confirmed an interconnected network of Pt and YSZ thereby suggesting that it is a viable candidate as a high performance and stable cathode material for mSOFCs.

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Alternative Fuels and Perspectives Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Usage in Air Transport

ECS Transactions ◽

10.1149/05701.0149ecst ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 149-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

L. S. Yanovskiy ◽

A. V. Baykov ◽

V. V. Raznoschikov ◽

I. S. Averkov

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽

Alternative Fuels ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Air Transport ◽

Oxide Fuel

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Degradation in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Operating with Alternative Fuels

ECS Transactions ◽

10.1149/1.3205640 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 1125-1132

Author(s):

Mark LaBarbera ◽

Mark Fedkin ◽

Jeoung Lee ◽

Zoungfei Zhow ◽

Serguei Lvov

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽

Alternative Fuels ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Oxide Fuel

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Ceramic modules for micro solid-oxide fuel cells

Additional Conferences (Device Packaging HiTEC HiTEN & CICMT) ◽

10.4071/cicmt-2011-keynote3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 (CICMT) ◽

pp. 000009-000016

Author(s):

Thomas Maeder ◽

Bo Jiang ◽

Yan Yan ◽

Peter Ryser ◽

Paul Muralt

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Low Temperature ◽

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽

Borosilicate Glass ◽

High Energy ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Processing Unit ◽

Oxide Fuel ◽

Promising Alternative ◽

Very High Energy

Micro solid-oxide fuel cells (μ -SOFCs) based on microfabrication processes are a promising alternative to batteries for supplying portable electronics, as very high energy densities may be achieved. However, a complete μ -SOFC module is a quite intricate structure, comprising 1) a gas-processing unit (GPU) to process a convenient energy source such as lighter gas into a more usable form, 2) the energy-generating cells proper, and 3) a post-combustor. The mechanical integration of these elements and their fluidic and electrical interconnection into a single module is a very challenging task for micro-scale integration. Therefore, a modular low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) package is proposed, allowing individual testing and subsequent full integration of the different cell elements. The package functions as a hotplate, a mechanical support for the hot zone and as an electrical / fluidic interconnect, applying a slender-bridge design to minimise thermal conduction losses and stresses, thus allowing convenient low-temperature electrical connections and fluidic ports. For applications requiring a better thermal expansion match to silicon and borosilicate glass, a silicon / borosilicate glass-sealed variant was also developed. Preliminary thermal characterisation of these packages is shown, and concepts for integrating the GPU and post-combustor into the LTCC structure are presented.

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Degradation in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Operating with Alternative Fuels

ECS Meeting Abstracts ◽

10.1149/ma2009-02/12/1489 ◽

2009 ◽

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽

Alternative Fuels ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Oxide Fuel

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Modeling the dynamic operation of a small fin plate heat exchanger – parametric analysis

Archives of Thermodynamics ◽

10.1515/aoter-2015-0023 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 85-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Konrad Motyliński ◽

Jakub Kupecki

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Heat Exchanger ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽

Critical Role ◽

Plate Heat Exchanger ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Oxide Fuel ◽

Promising Alternative ◽

Plate Heat

Abstract Given its high efficiency, low emissions and multiple fuelling options, the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) offer a promising alternative for stationary power generators, especially while engaged in micro-combined heat and power (μ-CHP) units. Despite the fact that the fuel cells are a key component in such power systems, other auxiliaries of the system can play a critical role and therefore require a significant attention. Since SOFC uses a ceramic material as an electrolyte, the high operating temperature (typically of the order of 700–900 °C) is required to achieve sufficient performance. For that reason both the fuel and the oxidant have to be preheated before entering the SOFC stack. Hot gases exiting the fuel cell stack transport substantial amount of energy which has to be partly recovered for preheating streams entering the stack and for heating purposes. Effective thermal integration of the μ-CHP can be achieved only when proper technical measures are used. The ability of efficiently preheating the streams of oxidant and fuel relies on heat exchangers which are present in all possible configurations of power system with solid oxide fuel cells. In this work a compact, fin plate heat exchanger operating in the high temperature regime was under consideration. Dynamic model was proposed for investigation of its performance under the transitional states of the fuel cell system. Heat exchanger was simulated using commercial modeling software. The model includes key geometrical and functional parameters. The working conditions of the power unit with SOFC vary due to the several factors, such as load changes, heating and cooling procedures of the stack and others. These issues affect parameters of the incoming streams to the heat exchanger. The mathematical model of the heat exchanger is based on a set of equations which are simultaneously solved in the iterative process. It enables to define conditions in the outlets of both the hot and the cold sides. Additionally, model can be used for simulating the stand-alone heat exchanger or for investigations of a semiadiabatic unit located in the hotbox of the μ-CHP unit.

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