Enhanced performance of a single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell with dual gas supply method

Abstract

Single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell made of conventional materials with two gas tubes located at the different sides of the cell was fabricated and tested in a diluted methane-oxygen mixture to evaluate the influence of various operating parameters on cell performance. The traditional gas supply method was also studied for comparison. Experimental results showed that the cell performance was greatly enhanced by using the dual gas supply method. At a furnace temperature of 700 °C, the maximum power density was 459.2 mW cm−2 for a CH4/O2 ratio of 1.5, which was 67% higher than that of the traditional gas supply method. Additionally, the dual gas supply method could provide the required reactant gas for each electrode by changing the gas composition of both the gas tubes separately. The highest power density of 493.9 mW cm−2 was obtained at the anode and cathode CH4/O2 ratios of 1.5 and 1, respectively. A cell with dual gas supply method will generate a more attractive power output than that of the traditional method in a single-chamber condition.