Development of Reformate-Model-Gas Generator for SOFC Testing

Abstract

Cell(s) voltage and power density of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) depend on testing conditions such as gas composition and flowrate and operation temperatures as well as cell materials and designs themselves. A safe and precise method was developed to generate reformate-model-gases corresponding to various raw fuels of SOFC system (CH 4, kerosene, diesel etc.) and reforming reactions at wide range of S/C, O 2 /C, and temperatures. It was confirmed that the reformate-model-gases can be precisely produced over a Ni catalyst using H 2 -O 2 -CO 2 -(N 2 ) or H 2 -CH 4 -CO 2 -N 2 mixtures as feedstock. Flow-rate calibration of the feedstock could realize uncertainties of the model-gas compositions and flow-rates at a level of ±1.0 mol.% for H 2 and H 2 O, ±0.5 mol.% for CO, CO 2 , and CH 4 , and ±1.1% for total flowrate of the model reformates.

Application of DME to an SOFC System Designed for LPG

“…This generator consists of a catalytic H 2 combustor (H 2 + 0.5O 2 = H 2 O), in which an H 2 -H 2 O gas mixture can be stably generated, and a catalytic equilibrium reactor, in which equilibrium compositions during steam reforming are synthesized via reverse water gas shift reactions (CO 2 + H 2 = CO +H 2 O) and methanation reactions (CO 2 + 4H 2 = CH 4 + 2H 2 O). The detail of the generator is reported in previous reports [3,4].…”

Improvement of Electrical Efficiency of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Anode Gas Recycle

“…The cell, current collectors and metal separators were assembled without seal (4). Anode gas for AGR and single-pass conditions were supplied with a simulated-reformate generator which generated simulated gases at a reformer exit with high precision (gas composition ± 1 mol.% and flow-rate ± 2%) (5). Owning to the generator, cell testing can be implemented without a real AGR system.…”

Power Generating Property of Tubular SOFC Using DME as Fuel: Focus on Portable Device

“…To measure power generation property of the cell, the cell is connected to a stainless steel support tube and set in an electric furnace as shown in Figure 3. Simulated reformate gas of DME (S/C 1.5, reformed at 650ºC) was generated in the model gas generator (5) and was fed to anode as a fuel. O 2 -N 2 mixture which mimicked air was supplied as cathode gas.…”

“…As seen above, DME is easily reformed by steam and produces gas mixture with equilibrium composition. Therefore in these experiments we generated simulated reformate gas of DME (S/C 1.5, reformed at 650ºC) by the model gas generator we developed (5) and fed this simulated gas mixture to anode as a fuel. Figure 5 shows power generation characteristics of the fabricated cell at 750ºC.…”