Internal Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System Operating under Direct Ethanol Feed Condition

Abstract

A button‐typed single solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with an internal catalytic reforming layer is tested for direct‐fed ethanol SOFC technology. This catalytic functional layer consists of 5 wt% Rh/CeZrO2 catalyst and is applied in front of conventional nickel–yttria–stabilized zirconia (Ni–YSZ) anode to convert the ethanol fuel (35 vol%) into a hydrogen‐rich gas stream via the ethanol steam reforming reaction under harsh operating conditions for 24 h (steam‐to‐carbon [S/C] ratio = 3.1, 600 °C, and weight hourly space velocity [WHSV] of 176 h−1). The X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images reveal highly dispersed Rh nanoparticles with an average size of 2 nm over CeZrO2 support. Unlike the button cell without the catalytic functional layer, the electrochemical performance of the button cell with the catalytic functional layer illustrates a high coking resistance while maintaining a good power density output. The proposed SOFC with the catalytic functional layer is a viable solution for future electric cars with bioethanol‐fed SOFC technology.

Methane reforming in solid oxide fuel cells: Challenges and strategies

“…A button cell with an internal catalytic reforming layer was tested in direct ethanol-fed SOFCs by Elharati et al [42]. The catalytic functional layer consisted of 5 wt% Rh/Ce-ZrO 2 , which was applied in front of the conventional Ni-YSZ anode.…”

“…The low efficiency of methane reforming may be improved by integrating the endothermal reforming process with a source of high-temperature heat and H 2 O provided by SOFCs. A variety of light hydrocarbon fuels, such as CH 4 , can be internally reformed on the SOFC electrode while making direct use of the heat and H 2 O produced internally [34,35,[42][43][44][45][46] by converting the chemical energy of the fuel to electricity and H 2 [13,40,47]. In addition, Direct internal reforming (DIR) SOFCs can achieve high electrical efficiencies and even higher efficiencies when applied for combined heat and power (CHP) [48][49][50][51][52], combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) [53][54][55][56] and combined heat, H 2 and power (CHHP) [57,58].…”

Ethanol-fueled metal supported solid oxide fuel cells with a high entropy alloy internal reforming catalyst

“…Metal supported SOFCs (MS-SOFC), utilizing low cost ferritic steels as support, enable fast start and thermal cycling of the MS-SOFC power system, a key requirement for consumer vehicles [8][9][10]. Taking these advantages of MS-SOFCs and bio-ethanol, ethanol fueled SOFCs are being developed for electric vehicles using concentrated ethanol (≥ 45 v% ethanol/water (balance), abbreviated as "45% EtOH") as a fuel [11,12]. Recent evaluation of the feasibility of ethanol and gasoline in SOFC vehicles indicates that ethanol fueled SOFCs have more economic, environmental, and social advantages than gasoline fueled vehicles [13].…”

Direct-Fed Ethanol Metal-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System with Regeneration Process by Air Pulsing

“…The integrated SOFC and reforming catalyst offer a compact system that can be easily scale-up without compromising its volumetric size. The ethanol reforming catalyst normally consists of a noble metal such as rhodium (Rh) or palladium (Pd) (9,10). However, due to their high cost, the commercialization of noble metal catalysts is challenging.…”