Enhancing the Lifetime of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell stacks in Switzerland
At a glance
- Project leader : Prof. Thomas Hocker
- Co-project leader : Dr. Lorenz Holzer
- Project status : completed
- Funding partner : Federal government (Bundesamt für Energie BFE)
- Project partner : Hexis AG
- Contact person : Lorenz Holzer
Description
The lifetime of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stacks was investigated by
means of experimental investigations (e.g. Impedance spectroscopy,
physical/electrochemical characterization), microstructure analysis
(SEM, FIB-tomography, EDX) and numerical simulation (Finite Element
Modelling).
A particular focus of the investigations was on the effect of
microstructure degradation of Ni-based cermet anodes (e.g.
Ni-coarsening) in context with temperature variations and redox
cycling. Quantitative relationships between microstructure
characteristics (phase volume fractions, tortuosity,
constrictivity) and effective properties (electric and ionic
conductivity, gas diffusivity) could be elaborated. Based on the
fundamental understanding of microstructure-property relationships
new anodes with improved long-term performance could be
developed.