System Validation Tests for an SOFC Power System at INER

Abstract

This research presents the results of system validation tests for an SOFC power system. In the study, the system was heated up without electric device, i.e., the fuel providing the required thermal energy through an integrated BOP (balance of plant). The ex-situ experiments, without an SOFC stack installed in the system, were first conducted to investigate the operability of a BOP apparatus. It was found that the BOP possessed high conversion rates for both steam reforming and water gas shift reactions. The total fuel concentration of hydrogen and carbon monoxide from the reformer was around 91.2%. The system validation tests showed that, with the natural gas as fuel, the output power from the stack reached to 1,060 W, while the fuel utilization efficiency and electrical efficiency were 67.16% and 45.0%, respectively. A steady 600-hour system operation test was carried out at an average system temperature of 694 o C. Of which, a 36-cell stack was employed for the test. Meanwhile, the current, voltage and output power were 26 A, 32.3 V and 840 W, respectively, and its electrical efficiency was around 33.4%.