Practical Applications for the Oxide Fuel Cell

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are technology designed to convert chemical energy into heat and electricity with low pollution and high efficiency.  SOFCs are considered to be the leading fuel cell system that is made up of ceramic materials such as zirconia.

The advantages of using SOFCs include the following:

• Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are used as fuels.
• The SOFC can use a number of hydrocarbon fuels like diesel, gasoline, alcohol and natural gas without having to reform the fuel used into pure hydrogen.
• This has potentially lower costs because there is no need to use precious metals in the conversion process. The cost is definitely higher in other fuel cells that use platinum as a catalyst to the proton exchange. Some other fuel cells that use liquid electrolytes could lead to corrosion of components.
• SOFC is easier to maintain because it is in its solid state.

Meanwhile, practical Applications of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells include the following:

-  For power and heat generation in businesses and residential areas.

-  Auxiliary power units for the electrical systems of vehicles.

-  SOFC can be used with a gas turbine to generate second source of electricity with the high pressure and heat of the fuel cell.

-  SOFC can also be used in industrial processing and space heating.

-  Solid oxide fuels are known to create fewer pollutants.Their cleanliness and compact size make them ideal for urban settings such as Tokyo.

-  Mobile power generation can also be propelled with the use of solid oxide fuel cells.

SOFC technology varies from other fuel cells because it is made of all-solid materials from the cathode, anode and electrolytes. SOFCs operate at temperatures that are extremely high from 500 to 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,800 degrees Fahrenheit). These produce exhaust gases that can be used in combination with heat. The SOFCs also have different configurations such as flat planes (planar), rolled tubes (tubular) and other designs.

The most common materials used for the solid oxide electrolyte are zirconia and yttria that serve to enable the transport of the oxygen ions. The hard ceramic is formed as a crystal lattice and coated with specialized porous electrode ingredients.

Solid oxide fuel cells are attractive candidates for working with gas turbines in a hybrid configuration. Their high pressure can be used to spin the turbine and generate additional electricity for a number of establishments and structures. The first solid oxide fuel cell and gas turbine hybrid system in the world was tested by Siemens.

 

 

 

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