Thermodynamic analysis of a methane fed SOFC system based on a protonic conductor

Abstract Possibility of utilization of CO-containing fuel in a fuel cell based on a solid oxide protonic conductor (SOFC(H + )) is demonstrated. Thermodynamic analysis of a methane fed SOFC(H + ) system is performed. It is stated that the fuel utilization depends on H 2 O/CH 4 mole ratio in the feeding fuel mixture and has a maximum at the ratio of about 2.6. It is stated that average EMF of the SOFC(H + ) is higher than that of an SOFC based on oxygen ion conductor under the same conditions and, hence, the maximum efficiency of the SOFC(H + ) system is about 15% higher than of the SOFC system based on oxygen ion conductor.