Carbon Deposition on Vanadium-Based Anode Catalyst for SOFC Using Syngas as Fuel

Abstract

Carbon deposition from synthesis gas (syngas) fueling solid oxide fuel cells led to decreased performance with time on stream. Although higher temperatures improved the fuel cell performance, the trade-off was a faster carbon deposition. Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data showed that the carbon deposition was more severe in CO than in syngas condition and the Boudouard reaction was the major cause for carbon deposition in syngas. The carbon distribution on the catalysts was also different. In CO, the carbon deposited mostly on edges of the catalyst, whereas in syngas, carbon deposited more evenly on the surface, suggesting different mechanisms taking effect. Cofeeding water vapor with the anode feed suppressed carbon deposition. However, the presence of water vapor reduced the fuel cell performance.