High electric conversion efficiency and electrochemical properties of anode-supported SOFCs

The Effect of H2S on the Performance of SOFCs using Methane Containing Fuel

“…Technological solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been demonstrated to operate very well when running on H 2 , synthesis gas or CH 4 -containing fuels for long operation times (e.g. [1]).…”

“…It has thus become interesting to study the applicability of alternative fuel sources, like biogas derived from biomass. Biogas produced by anaerobic digestion of biomass mainly consists of CH 4 and CO 2 , but also small amounts of impurities, such as, for example H 2 S (>30 ppm), halogens and siloxanes. At the high operational temperature of SOFCs (700-900°C) and the presence of Ni-catalyst electrodes, the main components CH 4 , CO 2 and H 2 O are converted to H 2 and CO (Reaction (1)).…”

“…CH 4 -containing fuels in Ni-Yttria-Stabilised-Zirconia (YSZ) anode based SOFCs have been investigated using oxygen species O 2 , H 2 O and/or CO 2 , to convert CH 4 with the Ni in the anode acting as catalyst [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. A critical issue in these studies has been the conversion of CH 4 on the anode's Ni particles without producing coke, as coke lowers the performance of an SOFC.…”

“…A critical issue in these studies has been the conversion of CH 4 on the anode's Ni particles without producing coke, as coke lowers the performance of an SOFC. The coke formation can be controlled by different factors, for example the operational temperature and the O/C ratio.…”

“…In the steam reforming of CH 4 , three main reactions occur, i.e. the steam reforming reaction (Reaction (2)), the water gas shift reaction (Reaction (3)) and the methanation reaction (Reaction (4) …”