Direct Utilization of Liquid Fuels in SOFC for Portable Applications: Challenges for the Selection of Alternative Anodes

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have the advantage of being able to operate with fuels other than hydrogen. In particular, liquid fuels are especially attractive for powering portable applications such as small power generators or auxiliary power units, in which case the direct utilization of the fuel would be convenient. Although liquid fuels are easier to handle and transport than hydrogen, their direct use in SOFC can lead to anode deactivation due to carbon formation, especially on traditional nickel/yttria stabilized zirconia (Ni/YSZ) anodes. Significant advances have been made in anodic materials that are resistant to carbon formation but often these materials are less electrochemically active than Ni/YSZ. In this review the challenges of using liquid fuels directly in SOFC, in terms of gas-phase and catalytic reactions within the anode chamber, will be discussed and the alternative anode materials so far investigated will be compared.

Numerical SOFC Anode Catalyst Occupation Study: Internal Reforming of Carbonaceous Fuel Mixtures

“…Operating temperature and fuel composition affect reaction rates and the amount of deposited carbon. 4 20…”

“…Reformed liquid fuels such as dimethyl ether, ethanol, methanol and others can be utilized, as shown by Cimenti and Hill. 4 Furthermore, carbon monoxide can be electrochemically converted, making SOFCs superior to low temperature fuel cells in terms of fuel flexibility. Currently, the usage of partially reformed hydrocarbons is a major benefit of SOFCs.…”

Retraction: High‐Performance Molybdenum Dioxide‐Based Anode for Dodecane‐Fueled Solid‐Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)

“…[1][2][3] However, current Ni-YSZ cermet anodes operating with complex liquid hydrocarbon fuels display severe carbon formation on the Ni surface and sulfur poisoning (when fossil-derived fuels are used). [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The formation of carbon deposits in the presence of hydrocarbons at operating temperatures !…”

“…[1][2][3] Among the various types of fuel cell, solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been considered the most promising energy converter to meet the increasing demand for electrical power as many aspects of our society move towards a "more electric platform". [4][5] As one illustration of this trend, the Boeing Company has been pursuing the more electric airplane (MEA) concept, which aims at substituting hydraulically and pneumatically driven systems with electrical ones.…”

Electrical conductivity of Sr₂MgMoO_{6−δ} for solid oxide fuel cell anodes

“…Thus, SOFCs are promising as power sources for various mobile applications. 1) 6) The performance of internal reforming SOFCs is governed by the anode material and operating conditions. Nicermet materials are typically used as anodes in conventional SOFCs fed with hydrogen fuel.…”