USDOE Federal Energy Technology Center, Morgantown, WV (United States)
Abstract
SOFC powerplants have many potential attributes which make them suitable for distributed generation applications. Power densities for SOFCs are very promising. Power densities possibilities of 20 watts per square centimeter have been reported to be possible. Westinghouse Electric is the leader in tubular SOFC technology. Several completely packaged and self-contained generators, up to nominal 25-kW size, have been manufactured and tested by Westinghouse Electric. A manufacturing facility currently produces these generators. In the US, several planar designs are also under development. Organizations developing planar designs include IGT, Celamalec, Ztek, TMI, and Allied Signal Aerospace. One of the most promising developments in SOFC powerplants is the conceptual development of very high efficiency fuel cell gas turbine powerplants. Combination of SOFC and turbine has the potential for enormous synergies