Protective Ceramic Coatings for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Balance-of-Plant Components

Raymond L Winter,Manoj K Mahapatra,Uma Sampathkumaran,Prabhakar Singh,Mark K King

doi:10.1155/2018/9121462

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have the potential to meet the growing need for electrical power generation if the cost per megawatt can be further reduced. Currently, SOFC stacks are replaced too frequently to be cost competitive. SOFC service life can be extended by preventing chromium- (Cr-) bearing species from evaporating from the interior surfaces of balance of plant (BOP) components and poisoning the cathode to increase the lifetime. We have developed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and aluminum oxide- (Al2O3-) modified sol-gel paints or inks for coating BOP components. 430 stainless steel (430SS) substrates with three surface conditions were coated with the 0.8–1.5 µm thick YSZ and Al2O3paints. The coated 430SS samples were tested for thermal cycling resistance, thermal soak, and Cr evaporation. Thermal soak and thermal cycling test results show promise for the YSZ-coated 430SS substrates. The Cr evaporation test of a coated substrate showed a 51% reduction in Cr generation, when compared with a bare substrate.

Highlights

Fossil fuel-based power generation systems are the mainstay of electrical power production in many countries today. ese systems, contribute to increase in airborne pollutants carbon dioxide (CO2) emission level leading to potential climate change and global warming
The integrity of the lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) is compromised. e result is a change in the chemistry and the electrochemistry of the cathode, rendering it incapable of performing its proper electrochemical function in the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). e extended power plant life is key to making power grid SOFCs a cost-effective reality. e target is a 10-year service life
We conducted several statistically designed experiments to optimize the rheology of the yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and the Al2O3 paint for dipping and stability

Summary

Introduction

Fossil fuel-based power generation systems are the mainstay of electrical power production in many countries today. ese systems, contribute to increase in airborne pollutants carbon dioxide (CO2) emission level leading to potential climate change and global warming. Fossil fuel-based power generation systems are the mainstay of electrical power production in many countries today. Ese systems, contribute to increase in airborne pollutants carbon dioxide (CO2) emission level leading to potential climate change and global warming. Peak electrical power is met by small- and medium-sized present gas-fired electrical power plants. Ese plants produce 85% of the air pollution generated by electrical power generation in the USA, along with relatively low fuel consumption efficiency. One of the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) goals is to integrate solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technologies as an alternative for clean energy systems that can feed into the nation’s power grid. Various chemical reactions can take place at a lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) cathode, due to Cr poisoning. E extended power plant life is key to making power grid SOFCs a cost-effective reality. The integrity of the LSM is compromised. e result is a change in the chemistry and the electrochemistry of the cathode, rendering it incapable of performing its proper electrochemical function in the SOFC. e extended power plant life is key to making power grid SOFCs a cost-effective reality. e target is a 10-year service life

Methods

Results

Conclusion