A thermally self-sustained micro-power plant with integrated micro-solid oxide fuel cells, micro-reformer and functional micro-fluidic carrier

Low temperature micro-solid oxide fuel cell (micro-SOFC) systems are an attractive alternative power source for small-size portable electronic devices due to their high energy efficiency and density. Here, we report on a thermally self-sustainable reformer-micro-SOFC assembly. The device consists of...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Journal of power sources 2014-07, Vol.258, p.434-440
Hauptverfasser: SCHERRER, Barbara, EVANS, Anna, POULIKAKOS, Dimos, MURALT, Paul, NIEDERMANN, Philippe, DOMMANN, Alex, MAEDER, Thomas, HEEB, Peter, STRAESSLE, Valentin, MULLER, Claude, GAUCKLER, Ludwig J, SANTIS-ALVAREZ, Alejandro J, BO JIANG, MARTYNCZUK, Julia, GALINSKI, Henning, NABAVI, Majid, PRESTAT, Michel, TOLKE, Rene, BIEBERLE-HÜTTER, Anja
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:Volltext
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Low temperature micro-solid oxide fuel cell (micro-SOFC) systems are an attractive alternative power source for small-size portable electronic devices due to their high energy efficiency and density. Here, we report on a thermally self-sustainable reformer-micro-SOFC assembly. The device consists of a micro-reformer bonded to a silicon chip containing 30 micro-SOFC membranes and a functional glass carrier with gas channels and screen-printed heaters for start-up. Thermal independence of the device from the externally powered heater is achieved by exothermic reforming reactions above 470 [degrees]C. The reforming reaction and the fuel gas flow rate of the n-butane/air gas mixture controls the operation temperature and gas composition on the micro-SOFC membrane. In the temperature range between 505 C and 570 C, the gas composition after the micro-reformer consists of 12 vol.% to 28 vol.% H sub(2). An open-circuit voltage of 1.0 V and maximum power density of 47 mW cm super(-2) at 565 [degrees]C is achieved with the on-chip produced hydrogen at the micro-SOFC membranes.
ISSN:0378-7753
1873-2755
DOI:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.02.039