Direct-Flame Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell (DFFC): A Thermally Self-Sustained, Air Self- Breathing, Hydrocarbon-Operated SOFC System in a Simple, No-Chamber Setup

Abstract

We present a combined experimental and modeling study of a direct-flame type solid oxide fuel cell (DFFC). The operation principle of this system is based on the combination of a flame with an SOFC in a simple, no-chamber setup. Experiments were performed using 13-mm-diameter planar SOFCs with Ni-based anode, samaria-doped ceria electrolyte and cobaltite cathode. At the anode, a 7-mm-diameter flat-flame burner provided methane/air rich premixed flames. The cell performance reaches power densities of up to 200 mW/cm2. A detailed analysis of the electrical efficiency is carried out. Observed system efficiencies are below 0.5%. Equilibrium calculations of the flame exhaust gas were performed. From the simulations, both H2 and CO were identified as species that are available as fuel for the SOFC.