A preliminary study of a CH₄ / O₂ solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

687-689Lanthanum calcium chromite (LCC) supported on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) prepared in this laboratory exhibits very good performances both as anode and cathode in a fuel cell when operated in the range of 1023 to 1173 K. In the anodic mode it shows reactivities towards H2, CO and CH4 oxidation with the products being CO2 and H2O. Current density of -100 mA cm-2 at the cell potential of 900 mV is achieved while the maximum output power is obtained at ~ 200 mA cm-2, and 400 mV cell voltage and corresponds to 140 mW cm-2. In the experiments the theoretical cell voltage at the open circuit condition is not achieved. Very interestingly, under moderate loads the anodic selectivity is switched to CO and H2 rather than CO2 and H2O and under high drain currents the cell behaves as an oxygen pump