Investigation of Direct‐Fed Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Fueled by Upgraded Bio‐Oil Extracted from Olive Waste Pyrolysis: Part 2: Analysis of Electrochemical Behavior and Cell Performance

Abstract

In this paper, we propose the first demonstration of the flexibility of operating directly Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (IT‐SOFC) with liquid biofuels for sustainable clean power generation. Biofuel used in this part is prepared through an upgrading process of bio‐oil obtained from olive mill wastewater sludge detailed in part 1 and demonstrated a successful improvement in physicochemical properties. Cell electrochemical polarization behavior, stability and internal decomposition of upgraded bio‐oil over the Ni‐SDC anode at different operating conditions such as temperatures and feed flow rates were deeply investigated. Results showed that IT‐SOFC is able to convert the upgraded bio‐oil to electricity at viable power densities (230 mW cm−2 at 750 °C) which is majorly related to the production of reactive fuels (H2, CO, CH4) from upgraded bio‐oil cracking over Ni‐based catalyst. Several side reactions may also occur over anode. Reverse Boudouard reaction is the main reaction reducing deposits as it forms. Bio‐oil upgrading leads to a promising stability with limited carbon deposits (1.35 wt %) at 750 °C.