Multi-Contaminant Getter for Trace Airborne Contaminant Capture in Elevated Temperature Electrochemical Systems

Abstract

Electrochemical systems operating at elevated temperatures such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) and oxygen transport membranes (OTM) are susceptible to electrochemical performance degradation due to the presence of intrinsic and extrinsic contaminants in air stream. Intrinsic and extrinsic airborne contaminants include a wide range of gaseous compounds consisting of cations such as Cr, Si, and B, intrinsic impurities include SOx, NOx, VOC and PM’s. During high temperature exposure, the contaminants deposit and react with the cell components leading to both ohmic and non-ohmic polarization buildup. The use of a cost-effective, design-agnostic, passive “getter” system has been proposed for capturing trace contaminants. A number of getter formulations (containing alkaline earth, transition metal and lanthanide group elements) have been synthesized and experimentally tested. Results will be presented.