Validity of Substituting H2-H2O Gas Mixtures for Reformate Gases in Testing Practical-Sized Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

To carry out performance test of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) simply and safely without dealing with toxic carbon monoxide, validity of substituting H2-H2O gas mixtures for reformate gases was investigated with practical-sized single cells. H2-H2O gas mixtures were prepared by replacing CO with H2 and CO2 with H2O in equilibrium reformate compositions at high temperatures (≥ 750ºC) where CH4 concentration is negligible. It was clarified that cell voltages for the H2-H2O substitutes agreed to ones for reformate gas of kerosene or methane by 0.6-0.2% at 0-90% fuel utilization and 650-750ºC. It was concluded that the way of H2-H2O substitution will be valid as long as for SOFCs show good internal reforming performance.