A thermally self-sustaining miniature solid oxide fuel cell

Jeongmin Ahn*, Zongping Shao, Paul D. Ronney, Sossina M. Haile

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A thermally self-sustaining miniature power generation device was developed utilizing a single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) placed in a controlled thermal environment provided by a spiral counterflow "Swiss roll" heat exchanger and combustor. With the single-chamber design, fuel/oxygen crossover due to cracking of seals via thermal cycling is irrelevant and coking on the anode is practically eliminated. Appropriate SOFC operating temperatures were maintained even at low Reynolds numbers (Re) via combustion of the fuel cell effluent at the center of the Swiss roll. Both propane and higher hydrocarbon fuels were examined. Extinction limits and thermal behavior of the integrated system were determined in equivalence ratio - Re parameter space and an optimal regime for SOFC operation was identified. SOFC power densities up to 420 mW/cm2 were observed at low Re. These results suggest that single-chamber SOFC's integrated with heat-recirculating combustors may be a viable approach for small-scale power generation devices.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEnergy Systems
Subtitle of host publicationAnalysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages117-122
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)0791843009, 9780791843000
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
EventASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2007 - Seattle, WA, United States
Duration: Nov 11 2007Nov 15 2007

Publication series

NameASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings
Volume6

Conference

ConferenceASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle, WA
Period11/11/0711/15/07

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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