In this study, a redox evaluation system for anode supported SOFCs using in-situ acoustic emission (AE) and electrochemical technique has been developed. The system consists of a gas blending unit, moisture controlling unit, AE cell evaluation probe, gas cooling exhaust, electrochemical cell test system and AE signal measurement system. The anode supported coin cells, which have the same thickness dimension as practical SOFCs have, can be evaluated under temperature and atmosphere controlled conditions. The oxygen partial pressure in the anodic atmospheres can be gradually controlled from air to reducing atmosphere using the gas blending unit which is connected to 6 gas cylinders. Humidity in the anodic atmospheres can be controlled by moisture controlling unit which consists of 2 bubblers form 0.86% (5°C saturation) up to 80% (94°C saturation). Redox process of the anode can be simulated in this system by controlled three oxidation modes, i.e. O2 gas oxidation, steam oxidation and electrochemical oxidation, which correspond to actual troubles, i.e. gas leakage, degradation of downstream and fuel depletion, respectively. An AE transducer can monitor the cell condition via an inner tube for a guide of exhaust from the cathode.
Redox cell test for the anode supported coin cell has been examined at 770°C using this system. After the reduction of the anode substrate in moist H2, current 0.5Acm−2 loaded to the cell. And then H2 gas concentration had been reduced by stages. The cell voltage was down to below −6V after H2 gas concentration was reduced to pH2 = 2%. This drastic cell voltage drop and AE signal generation occurred at the same time. It is considered that Ni re-oxidation with fracture started at this time. Local delamination between anode and electrolyte, and also cracks at the electrolyte and cathode were observed after redox test. It was confirmed that AE sensing is effective for redox evaluation.
Lithium-induced modiphication of the physicochemical state of membrane proteins and lipids in human erythrocytes
