Evaluation of Three-Dimensional Placement of Built-in Catalytic Partial Oxidation Catalyst in an Anode-Supported Honeycomb SOFC

Honeycomb solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can achieve high volumetric power density with improved thermo-mechanical durability at high temperatures. In this study, a compact SOFC with catalytic partial oxidation reforming catalyst embedded in the flow channels of a porous honeycomb anode support has been fabricated and evaluated. Current-voltage (I-V) measurements and gas chromatography for the outlet gas were carried out while methane/air mixture gas was fed as fuel. I-V measurements were performed to compare the performance of two flow channel configurations: one with fuel fed to the central channel having a built-in reformer and discharged from surrounding four channels, and the other with fuel fed to the four channels with the reformer and discharged from the central channel. As a result, the concentration overpotential was smaller in the latter case. The gas chromatography detected hydrogen in the reformed gas at the outlets of both cases.