Experimental evaluation of SOFC fuel adaptability and power generation performance based on MSR

With the green and economic development of distributed power source, the medium temperature flat-chip SOFCs using hydrogen rich gases obtained from MSR as fuel are paying great attention. The power generation performance and durability of SOFC are affected by the fuel composition. In this paper, the actual composition of hydrogen rich gas obtained from methanol steam reforming (MSR) is imitated to study the fuel adaptability of flat-chip SOFC at 600– 700 °C by experiment. As shown in the results fuel utilization rate and power generation performance are most affected by CO concentration. The large temperature gradient variation caused by the flat-chip structure leads to methanation reaction, especially when the hydrogen rich gas contains CO2. Overpotential has a greater impact on the stack which use hydrogen rich fuel containing CO2 as fuel. As the overpotential increases, the fuel utilization rate increases and the methanation rate decreases. The uneven performance caused by flat-chip production is the main reason for the difference in power generation performance. CO and CO2 have a significant impact on the resistance of electrolytes of flat-chips. The reactor can stably supply fuel to SOFC for a long-time. Using reforming gas for power generation, fuel utilization rate of SOFC reduces by 0.06%. •The effect of hydrogen rich gas on fuel adaptability of flat-chip SOFC is studied.•The hydrogen rich gas obtained from methanol steam reforming reactor.•Fuel utilization rate and power generation performance are most affected by CO.•The temperature gradient variation leads to methanation reaction in the flat-chip.•Using reactor directly supply fuel for flat-chip SOFCs is feasible.