Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Development at Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S and Riso̸ National Laboratory

Abstract

The consortium of Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S and Riso̸ National Laboratory has up-scaled its production capacity. Stacks are based on a compact thin plate multilayer design with metallic interconnects and 12x12 cm2 or 18x18 cm2 foot print. Larger (500 cm2) cells are currently under evaluation. Stacks have been tested successfully for more than 13000 hours. Several 50 or 75 cell stacks in the 1+ kW power range have been tested successfully at a fuel utilisation of up to 92%. Multi stack modules consisting of four 75 cell stacks have been tested for more than 4000 hours with pre-reformed natural gas and modules consisting of twelve stacks are under development. Our SOFC program comprises development of next generation cells with porous ferritic steel is used as a cheap, ductile, robust cell support and the electrolyte is based on scandia- doped zirconia with improved durability. In collaboration with Wärtsilä, a 24-stack prototype based on natural gas is being tested. The range of fuels have further been extended to include ethanol and coal syn-gas by development of a new coke resistant catalyst suitable for future SOFC technology.