Status and recent progress in SOFC development at Haldor TopsØe A/S and RisØ

Abstract

The SOFC technology under development at Haldor Topsøe A/S and Risø National Laboratory is based on an integrated approach ranging from manufacturing of planar anode-supported cells and compact stacks to analysis of total systems. The standard cells are thin and robust with dimensions of 12 × 12 cm2 and cell stacks are based on internal manifolding. Production of cells is being up-scaled continuously. The durability of the standard stack design with standard cells has been tested for more than 13000 hours including nine full thermal cycles with an overall voltage degradation rate of about 1% per 1000 hours. Recently, the degradation rate has been significantly reduced by introduction of improved stack component materials. 75-cell stacks in the 1+ kW power range have been tested successfully, so far for several hundred hours. Stacks have been delivered in a pre-reduced state to partners and tested successfully in test systems with natural gas as fuel. The consortium of Haldor Topsøe A/S and Risø has an extended program to develop the SOFC technology all the way to a marketable product. Stack and system modelling including cost optimisation analysis is used to develop 5 kW stack modules for operation in the temperature range 700-850°C. To ensure the emergence of cost-competitive solutions, a special effort is focused on manufacturing and testing of larger anode-supported cells. The SOFC program comprises development of next generation cells and multi stack modules for operation at lower temperature with increased durability and mechanical robustness. Development of cells with porous metallic support and new electrode materials is in progress in order to ensure longterm competitiveness.