Three-dimensional flow channel arrangements in an anode-supported honeycomb solid oxide fuel cell

An anode-supported honeycomb SOFC can achieve high volumetric power density and improve thermo-mechanical durability at high temperatures. We have so far fabricated a honeycomb cell with a cathode layer made of La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 (LSM) and an electrolyte layer of 8YSZ on a porous anode support in the honeycomb form of Ni/8YSZ. In the present study, current-voltage and volumetric power density characteristics of the cells having different anode/cathode flow channel arrangements are measured under different flow rates of fed hydrogen to show the effect of three-dimensional fuel transport and distribution in the porous anode support on the cell performance. Ohmic resistances of the cells varying with current is also evaluated to clarify the nickel re-oxidation of the anode support by fuel depletion depending on the anode flow channel arrangements. We thereby discuss the difference of the advantage between the flow channel arrangements depending on the flow rate of the fed fuel to choose more suitable operation mode.