On the single chamber solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract Single chamber solid oxide fuel cells, SC-SOFCs, design and performance is discussed. It is shown that all of them operate on non-selective anodes. They operate on cathodes that become selective only under short residence times. As a result these cells are not functioning as true mixed reactant solid oxide fuel cells (MR-SOFC). The lack of selectivity is a serious draw back. True MR-SOFC can be constructed in ways that make them cheaper in fabrication, providing high power density, high fuel utilization and reduced explosion risk. The fact that SOFCs operate in a single cell is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the proper operation of MR-SOFCs. The selectivity looked for the anode and cathode is of a special kind. It selects between electrochemical and chemical reactions, preferring the first ones. Results reported here suggest that MR-SOFC can operate only up to ∼600 °C. At these relative low temperatures, materials other than oxides can also be considered for use. Future directions in the needed research in order to develop true MR-SOFCs are discussed.

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