(Invited) Stack Development and Scale-up for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells

Abstract

Under the ARPA-E REBELS program, the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), together with industrial partner Fuel Cell Energy/Versa Power Systems (FCE/VPS) have advanced protonic ceramic fuel cell (PCFC) technology from the small (<1 cm2) laboratory button-cell scale to the large-area (81 cm2) industrial manufacturing scale utilizing low-cost, volume-qualified processes. Presently, the team is pursuing the world’s first demonstration of a large-area, ~500W-1kW natural gas-fueled PCFC stack prototype by leveraging these large-area cells with FCE’s low-cost Compact Stack Architecture (CSA). Our progress towards key scale-up demonstration goals is summarized in Table 1. In this presentation, we review the progress and major learnings achieved during this scale-up initiative. We highlight several areas where important technological and scientific risks have been mitigated, as well as areas where key questions remain to be addressed. Finally, preliminary techno-economic analysis and potential market opportunities for PCFC technology will be presented and discussed. Figure 1

A robust protonic ceramic fuel cell with a triple conducting oxygen electrode under accelerated stress tests

“…5–7 Compared with conventional oxide-ion conducting solid oxide fuel cells, protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) undoubtedly deliver technical advantages such as lower operating temperature, cheaper system cost, and reliable operation. 8–11 The recent progress on materials, performances, and stack development has demonstrated their great potential for being operated with fuel flexibility and robustness in electricity generation. 12–15…”

“…8–11 The recent progress on materials, performances, and stack development has demonstrated their great potential for being operated with fuel flexibility and robustness in electricity generation. 12–15…”