Performance evaluation of ammonia-fueled flat-tube solid oxide fuel cells with different build-in catalysts

Abstract

The corrosion of ammonia atmosphere to Ni-cermet anode significantly affects the performance and durability of direct ammonia fuel solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, we investigate the impedance behavior of the flat-tube solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) fed with pure ammonia in details, assisted with distributions of relaxation time analysis under different fuels, operating temperatures, flow rates, and cell voltages. In addition, we use Ni/Al2O3 particles and nickel foam strips as the built-in catalysts to enhance ammonia decomposition within the anode support of the flat-tube cells. It is confirmed that the increased catalytic activity of ammonia decomposition brought by the built-in catalyst and the change of internal fuel gas resistance would affect the initial performance of the cell. In addition, enhancing the catalytic activity of ammonia decomposition through the built-in catalyst could effectively inhibit the corrosion effect of ammonia on the Ni surface in the anode support, thus enhancing the long-term durability of ammonia-fueled SOFC.