Enhanced Ceria Solid Electrolyte Fuel Cell Development. Reduction of Electronic Conductivity Permits Use of a Solid Ceria Electrolyte in High Efficiency High Power Density Fuel Cells at Temperatures Compatible with Metallic Cell Hardware

The high operating temperature of zirconia based solid oxide fuel cells has been shown in many studies to have advantages for both space and terrestrial applications. The high heat rejection temperature minimizes radiator size and weight for high atmospheric and space applications. Mobile and statio...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Maricle, D L
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
CELLS
CERAMIC MATERIALS
CONDUCTIVITY
DENSITY
DUCTILITY
EARTH(PLANET)
EFFICIENCY
Electrochemical Energy Storage
ELECTROLYTES
ELECTRONS
ENERGY
FAILURE
FLOW FIELDS
FRAMES
FUEL CELLS
FUELS
GAS FLOW
HIGH RATE
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROCARBONS
IONS
MEMBRANES
METALS
MOBILE
OXIDATION RESISTANCE
OXIDES
PARTS
PLATES
REDUCTION
REJECTION
RELIABILITY
SEPARATORS
SHEETS
SOLIDS
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
STAINLESS STEEL
STATIONARY
STEEL
STRUCTURES
TEMPERATURE
ZIRCONIUM OXIDES
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Summary:The high operating temperature of zirconia based solid oxide fuel cells has been shown in many studies to have advantages for both space and terrestrial applications. The high heat rejection temperature minimizes radiator size and weight for high atmospheric and space applications. Mobile and stationary terrestrial applications take advantage of a cell temperature high enough to directly reform hydro-carbon fuels, achieving high efficiency and energy density. Government funded solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) efforts are concentrated on the monolithic and tubular cell designs employing zirconia as the oxide ion conduction membrane. Zirconia requires an operating temperature of 1000 C to achieve adequate electrolyte conductivity. All-ceramic cell structures are used in both cases, leading to fragile, failure prone cells, and manufacturing steps which are difficult to scale up and costly. IFC's molten carbonate fuel cell development demonstrates the reliability of ductile sheet metal parts used for gas flow fields, separator plates, and frames in the 650 C temperature range. Ceria doped with gadolinium has ionic conductivity at 700 C comparable to zirconia at 1000 C. At 700 C a variety of stainless steels offer acceptable strength and oxidation resistance for use as cell hardware.