Solid oxide fuel cells: Operating principles, current challenges, and the role of syngas

Syngas mixtures are excellent fuels for solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Depending on the primary feedstock and the processing technology to produce the syngas, the composition (primarily mixtures of H-2 and CO, but often including CH4, H2O, CO2, N-2, and other impurities) can vary considerably. Thus, it is important to understand how SOFCs perform with alternative syngas mixtures. Syngas composition can affect materials selection, system design, and operating conditions. To assist understanding and interpreting performance, the article first reviews the basic principles governing SOFC chemistry and electrochemistry. The article also discusses alternative materials and system architectures, especially in the context of syngas fuels. A detailed computational model for a particular tubular, anode-supported, cell is used to compare SOFC performance using different syngas compositions. The syngas mixtures are derived from several processes, including partial oxidation (CPOx) or steam reforming of methane and dodecane, and gasification of coal or biomass.