Stability Enhancement of Reformate-Fueled, Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with Nickel Thin-Film Anode by Water Bubbling

Abstract

The dry reformate and wet reformate operations of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with 200 nm-thick, nanoporous Ni thin-film anode were investigated in terms of power performance at 500 degrees C. The initial power density of the SOFC fueled with dry reformate (H-2 75%, CO 10%, CO2 10%, CH4 5%) was 5% lower than that of the SOFC fueled with H-2, which was almost similar to that of the SOFC fueled with wet reformate humidified by water bubbling at room temperature. The reduction rate in power density of the SOFC fueled with the dry reformate was as high as 6%/hr; the reduction rate in power density of the SOFC fueled with the wet reformate was decreased by 55% through carbon poisoning alleviation of the Ni thin-film anode.