Influence of anodic gas mixture composition on solid oxide fuel cell performance: Part 2

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells are very promising devices for clean energy. Their goodness is amplified by fuel flexibility opening the possibility of fuelling with alternative and clean fuels such as syngas, deriving from biomass conversion treatments. This paper follows a first paper (Part 1) where analysis in terms of fuel composition, specifically in terms of CO/H2 ratio, were carried out, mainly to outline the field that enables a secure functioning far from carbon deposition. In this paper (Part 2) a careful analysis of SOFCs performance for varying concentrations of the gas components of a generic stream of syngas (H2, CO, N2, CO2, H2O) and operating conditions (pressure, temperature, flow rate of the gas-mixture), was performed in order to plan the actual test campaigns. The effects the significant parameters have on fuel cell performance will then be exhibited by the analysis of the planned testing campaigns to be performed on a generic laboratory prototype.