Highly efficient, coking-resistant SOFCs for energy conversion using biogas fuels

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) afford an opportunity for the direct electrochemical conversion of biogas with high efficiency; however, direct utilisation of biogas in nickel-based SOFCs is a challenge as it is subject to carbon deposition. A biogas composition representative of a real operating system of 36% CH4, 36% CO2, 20% H2O, 4% H2 and 4% CO used here was derived from an anode recirculation method. A BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ (BCZYYb) infiltrated Ni-YSZ anode was investigated for biogas conversion. The infiltration of BCZYYb significantly promoted the electrochemical reactions and the cells exhibited high power output at the operational temperatures of 850, 800 and 750°C. At 800°C, sup..