Novel Electrode Evaluation Method for Pulse Jet Solid Oxide Fuel Cells using Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels

Abstract

Pulse jet solid oxide fuel cells (PJ-SOFCs) directly supply liquid fuel through an injector, which is expected to realize a steep load followability under high fuel utilization. Moreover, the batch-type fuel supply ensures high tolerance and stability for hydrocarbon consumption. We have revealed the electrode potential behavior of a PJ-SOFC, developed and verified an electrode-reaction model, and proposed a novel evaluation method for fuel electrode performance based on this model. An electrode-reaction model based on the electrode potential behavior was then developed. This model was verified by fitting to the actual electrode potential behavior. The performance was successfully evaluated using the separately estimated rate constants of thermal decomposition and electrochemical reaction in the PJ-SOFC. The proposed electrode-reaction model and electrode evaluation method using the unsteady power generation in the PJ-SOFC are generalizable to other hydrocarbon fuels. Therefore, they are expected to become widely available for SOFC-related researches regarding hydrocarbon fuel, such as new electrode developments.