DIRECT HYDROCARBON SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS

摘要

Recent reports have shown that solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can be operated with a wide range of fuels including natural gas and propane. This paper reviews our recent work on two types of "direct hydrocarbon fuel cells" - devices that can use hydrocarbon fuels without the addition of substantial H_2O, CO_2, or O_2. First, conventional cells with thin yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes on porous Ni-YSZ anodes were successfully operated at nearly 1 W/cm~2 at 800℃ without coking using methane and natural gas. Second, thick Gd-doped Ceria electrolyte cells with LaCrO_3-based anodes were successfully operated without coking with various fuels including methane, ethane, propane, and butane; the addition of a small amount of Ni to the anode was found to improve cell performance and the cells showed good stability even after numerous redox cycles.