Development of Evaluation Technologies for Microtubular SOFCs Under Pressurized Conditions

Abstract

We developed evaluation technologies for microtubular solid oxide fuel cells under pressurized conditions. The pressurized cell evaluation system for the single cell was produced. The chamber temperature of the evaluation system can be controlled up to 750°C, and the maximum chamber pressure is 0.8MPa. It was possible to manually control the pressure difference between air and fuel gas within ±3kPa during the pressure increase. The hard sealing technique was introduced for the evaluation under pressurized conditions. Using two different types of commercial inorganic ceramic adhesives, the gas leakage was controlled at approximately 2%. Differential pressure control between fuel and air is effective for the stable open circuit voltage and power generation. The power generation under pressurized conditions was successful at 650°C, and the pressurized effect was clearly confirmed.