Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) operate at temperatures between 600°C and 1000°C and are therefore able to use carbon based fuels directly without expensive external reforming.
The figure below depicts the basics of a solid oxide fuel cell.
The table below describes the advantages of SOFCs compared with other technologies:
| SOFC Advantage |
SOFC Challenges |
| Highly efficient |
Slow startup time |
| Cogeneration opportunities |
Thermal Cycling |
| High fuel tolerance |
Redox stability |
| Can interconnect easily with existing infrastructure |
Degradation |
| Modular |
COST** |
| Silent |
|
| Low emission levels |
|
| Internal, cheaper reforming possible |
|
| Inexpensive catalysts |
|
**HTceramix is dedicated to developing SOFC stacks that will reach market penetration costs.
The solid-state electrolyte that SOFCs use reduces electrode corrosion problems, and the high operating temperature allows for integrated fuel reforming and fuel flexibility while avoiding the use of noble metals as catalysts. The hot exhaust gases are ideal for cogeneration purposes, where overall efficiencies of up to 90% can be achieved. While SOFCs are still far from demonstrating that they can live up to their potential, early indications are that they can achieve very high efficiencies at low prices perhaps as low as US$ 1,000/kW for units in the 1kW to 50kW range. |
