A Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with a Novel Geometry That Eliminates the Need for Preparing a Thin Electrolyte Film

Abstract

We propose a solid oxide fuel cell design based on a configuration of two electrodes on the same surface of the electrolyte in a flowing mixture of different hydrocarbons and air between 500 and 600°C. The ohmic resistance can be reduced without using a thin electrolyte film due to a significantly enhanced performance by the approach of the two electrodes to each other on the smooth electrolyte surface. The fuel cell performance, especially at reduced temperatures, is further improved by using a more reactive hydrocarbon fuel and a more catalytically active anode. The resulting power density reaches using 2 mm thicker electrolyte at 500°C. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.