Effect of Operating Conditions on the Electrochemical Performance of Ni-YSZ Cermet Anode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Using Octane Fuel

Abstract

Ni-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) cermet is evaluated as anode material for the solid oxide fuel cells operated by the direct internal steam reforming of iso-octane. Effect of the cell temperature and the steam/carbon ratio in the fuel was examined from the point of view of the cracking reaction performance, identification of the elementary process which governs power generation and durability. When both steam/carbon ratio and cell temperature are high enough, iso-octane is cracked to generate H 2 and CO. The cracking reaction of iso-octane on the surface of the Ni-YSZ anode governs the reaction rate of the anode electrode. Outlet gas composition from the cell was analyzed by gas chromatography, and the single cell property was measured by the electrochemical method.