ALTERNATIVE CONFIGURATIONS FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS

Abstract

In this paper different kinds of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) and their operating principles are presented. In terms of internal structure, SOFC can be classified into three categories: dual-chamber, single-chamber and no-chamber cells. Electrochemical performance is compared based on information available in the literature and advantages and disadvantages are established. Typical values of  maximum power density (Pmax) and current density at Pmax are respectively: ~1000 mW/cm² and ~2000 mA/cm² for dual-chamber cells, ~336 mW/cm² and ~770 mA/cm² for single- chamber cells, and ~210 mW/cm² and ~440 mA/cm² for no-chamber cells. Although the electrochemical performance of the single- and no-chamber cells is lower than the dual-chamber cells, the operating advantages given are enough to consider them as viable alternative designs. Finally, are presented preliminary results of a new design of a no-chamber cell with a burner of porous media coupled with the fuel cell.