Feasibility of palm-biodiesel fuel for a direct internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell

The feasibility of a direct internal reforming (DIR) solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) running on wet palm-biodiesel fuel (BDF) was demonstrated. Simultaneous production of H₂-rich syngas and electricity from BDF could be achieved. A power density of 0.32Wcm^-2 was obtained at 0.4 A cm^-2 and 800°C under steam to carbon ratio of 3.5. Subsequent durability testing revealed that a DIR-SOFC running on wet palm-BDF exhibited a stable voltage of around 0.8V at 0.2 A cm^-2 for more than 1month with a degradation rate of approximately 15 % / 1000h. The main cause of the degradation was an increase in the ohmic resistance.