SOFC development program at Haldor Topsøe/Risø National Laboratory - progress presentation

The SOFC technology under development at Haldor Topsøe A/S and Risø National Laboratory is based on an integrated approach ranging from manufacturing of planar anode-supported cells and compact stacks to analysis of total systems. Today, the consortium of Haldor Topsøe A/S and Risø has an extended program to develop the SOFC technology all the way to a marketable product. The standard cells are thin and robust with dimensions of 12 x 12 cm2 and the cell stacks are based on internal manifolding. Production of cells in a pilot production plant is being up-scaled continuously. Stack and system modelling including cost optimisation analysis is used to develop 5 kW stack modules for operation in the temperature range 700-850°C. High volume power density stacks based on thin plate metallic interconnects have been tested formore than 10000 hours including thermal cycling with encouragingly small degradation. Stacks in the 1+ kW size classes have been tested in methane as well as CO rich gas. The SOFC program comprises development of next generation cells and multi stack modules for operation at lower temperature with increased durability and mechanical robustness. Development of cells with porous metallic support and new cathode materials is in progress in order to ensure long-term competitiveness