Post-Test Characterization of an SOFC Short-Stack after 17,000 Hours of Steady Operation

The characterization of operated SOFC stacks is one important possibility to i) develop novel materials, ii) to optimize cell microstructures, iii) to understand interactions during start-up, operation and shut-down, iv) to analyse unwanted interruptions or stack failure, v) to control manufacturing quality and vi) to characterize stack structural integrity with respect to the engineering drawings, manufacturing admeasurements and tolerances. In the past 10 years approximately 150 stacks were, after operation, carefully dissected, photographed, characterized and follow-up examinations from all stack components performed. This chapter deals with the description of the course of action and highlights various analyses, including the analytical methods, concerning different stack parts. Finally some conclusions based on the post-test characterization for ongoing R&D were presented.