Demonstration of SOFC stack technology for operation at 600°C

The objective of this proposal for an Integrated Project is the development of stack components for the operation of SOFC systems at 600°C. Reducing the operating temperature to this level will have a great impact on lifetime and costs of SOFC system, thereby facilitating the commercial introduction of clean and efficient SOFC technology for combined heat and power generation in society, as well as auxiliary power for transport applications.

The emphasis of the project is on the basic research and development of materials and processes for producing advanced stack components at low costs. The major components that the project works on are anodes, cathodes and electrolytes, as well as the integration of these components into cells. Furthermore, interconnect materials and contact materials will be evaluated and developed. For achieving the performance targets, nano-sized materials and electrode structures materials are considered essential and therefore the development of such materials is also addressed by the project.

The significantly lower operating temperature compared to state-of-the-art SOFC technology enables the use of new sealing options for stacks, which will be developed in the project. Development will be aiming at components for hydrogen containing fuels (e.g. reformatted compositions) and for internal reforming SOFC fuelled with natural gas. The validation of the technology developed will be by operation of short stacks.