Micro solid oxide fuel cell at ARC

摘要

The Alberta Research Council Inc. (ARC) is developing a facile manufacturing process for Micro Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (μSOFC). These high volumetric power density Micro Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (small diameter < 5mm) have two main potential advantages, substantial increase in the electrolyte surface area per unit volume of a stack and also quick start up. Since fuel cell power is directly proportional to the electrolyte surface area, a μSOFC stack has high potential to substantially increase the power per unit volume. Simple calculations show a decrease in tube diameter from 22mm to 2mm will increase the electrolyte surface area in a stack approximately eight times. Due to its thin wall, a μSOFC has extremely high thermal shock resistance and low thermal mass. These low thermal mass and high thermal shock resistance characteristics are fundamental in reducing start up and turn off time for the SOFC system.