(233d) Ethanol Steam Reforming on SOFC System with Internal Catalyst Reforming Layer

Hydrogen solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a promising solution for future energy issues since it is a highly efficient and clean energy source. The commercialization of H₂ SOFC is hindered by the lack of H₂ infrastructure. Meanwhile, hydrocarbon fuel infrastructure is already available, but feeding hydrocarbon directly to commercial nickel-yttria-stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) anode supported SOFC leads to a permanent cell deactivation due to low catalytic reforming activity and carbon deposition. This work demonstrates the effect of 5 wt.% Rh/CeZrO₂ (Rh/CZ) that acts as an internal catalytic reforming layer on a direct-fed ethanol SOFC. The catalyst reforming layer was applied directly to the Ni/YSZ anode in SOFC. This additional layer will improve the reforming of the ethanol solution fuel (35 vol.%) into H₂ and CO (syngas) by ethanol steam reforming reaction for 24 hours. At 800°C and under 35 vol.% of ethanol solution fuel (S/C ratio of 3), the button-typed SOFC with 5 wt/% Rh/CZ catalyst can improve the maximum current density of the cell from 150 mA/cm² to 300 mA/cm2. The long term constant current test also shows improved cell stability from 10 h to 60 h. This additional reforming catalyst layer on SOFC can be a promising solution for future mobile SOFC applications.

Fig 01. The constant current stability plots of electrolyte-supported button cells under the direct feeding condition of ethanol (35 vol.% and the flow rate of 1.5 ml/hr) at 800⁰ C.