SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELLS

Device to produce electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel Has a solid-oxide or ceramic as electrolyte and in which there is cathode and anode Mostly used electrolyte is a ceramic material called yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)

SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELLS

Not limited to the flat plane configuration like that of other types of fuel cells Require high operating temperatures (800C to 1000C) and can be run on a variety of fuels including natural gas SOFCs are unique in that negatively charged oxygen ions travel from the cathode (negative side of the fuel cell) to the anode (positive side of the fuel cell)

SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELLS

ADVANTAGES OF SOFC
Higher efficiencies of around 40-60% Use currently available fossil fuels, thus reducing operating costs Clean Reliable Non-polluting No noise pollution

DISADVANTAGES OF SOFC
High temperature spurs breakdown of cell components Transportation cost is high Rapid start up time

COMPONENTS OF SOFC
Cathode Anode Electrolyte Interconnect

CATHODE- SOFC
High catalytic activity for oxygen molecule dissociation High electronic conductivity Chemical and dimensional stability Thermal expansion match with other cell components

CATHODE- SOFC
Compatibility and minimum reactivity with the electrolyte and the interconnection Stable, porous microstructure so that oxygen can diffuse through the cathode to the cathode/electrolyte interface Lanthanum manganite, when substituted with low valence elements such as calcium or strontium can be used as material for Cathode

ANODE- SOFC
Excellent catalyst for the oxidation of fuel Electronically conducting Sufficient porosity to allow the transport of the fuel Chemical stability with the electrolyte and interconnect

ANODE- SOFC
Applicability to use with versatile fuels and impurities Cost effectiveness Nickel-YSZ composites are the most commonly used anode materials for SOFCs

ELECTROLYTE- SOFC
Yttrium-doped zirconium oxide (YSZ) is the most widely used material as electrolyte Ionic conductivity Chemical stability Mechanical strength

INTERCONNECT- SOFC
Connects multiple cells together in a stack Nearly 100 percent electronic conductivity Stability in both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres Low permeability for oxygen and hydrogen Non-reactivity with other cell materials Doped lanthanum chromite is used as the interconnection

WORKING- SOFC
Warmed air enters the cathode side of the fuel cell and steam mixes with fuel to produce reformed fuel which enters on the anode side Chemical reaction begins in the fuel cell As the reformed fuel crosses the anode, it attracts oxygen ions from the cathode. The oxygen ions combine with the reformed fuel to produce electricity, water, and small amounts of carbon dioxide and water gets recycled back

WORKING- SOFC

REACTIONS- SOFC
Anode Reaction: 2H2 + 2O2 2H2O + 4e Cathode Reaction: O2 + 4e 2O2

Overall Cell Reaction: 2H2 + O2 2H2O

PLANAR DESIGN- SOFC

Components are assembled in flat stacks Air and fuel flow through channels built into the cathode and anode Performance of the planar design is currently better than the performance of the tubular design due to lower resistance comparatively

PLANAR DESIGN- SOFC

TUBULAR DESIGN- SOFC

Components are assembled in the form of a hollow tube Cell constructed in layers around a tubular cathode Air flows through the inside of the tube and fuel flows around the exterior Tubular design is advantageous because it is much easier to seal air from the fuel

TUBULAR- SOFC

APPLICATIONS- SOFC
Primary or auxiliary power sources for such facilities as homes, office buildings, industrial sites, ports, and military installations Well suited for mini-power-grid applications at places like universities and military bases SOFCs can be positioned on-site, even in remote areas; on-site location makes it possible to match power generation to the electrical demands of the site

CONCLUSION
Solid-Oxides are the upcoming field and its scope is increasing ever since. In the next coming years when materials cost will come down then this technology can be used for supplying continuous sources of energy and also it being clean and environment friendly technology, it is going to be of major use