Concept for Simple Small Scale SOFC System for Automotive Application

Abstract

SOFC's are recently considered as auxiliary power units in the automotive application. For this application but also for traction, simple SOFC systems in the range of 5-50 kW can be used. A possible system configuration based on a pre-reformer, the SOFC stack and a catalytic afterburner is described. The heating behaviour of the system during the start-up procedure is analysed. An important factor turns out to be the supply of a sufficient amount of heat by the built-in burner. For user-friendly operation frequent thermal cycling of the system should thus be avoided. Instead, keeping the SOFC system on its operating temperature turns out to be advantageous. The impact of such operation strategies is discussed.