Partial Oxidation of CH4 for SOFC: Performance Analysis

Operation and modelling results of a 150W tubular SOFC stack prototype, directly fuelled by CH4, are presented. Fuel is partially oxidized to synthesis gas as an alternative route aimed to a more efficient exploitation of gas reserves currently under-utilized. An extensive electrochemical investigation, consisting in the analysis of the performance attained with a proper electrocatalyst during a 3000 hours – endurance test, appears to make evident the feasibility of our approach. A simulation model, including the mass and heat balances for anode and cathode gaseous streams, as well as of the heat balance of the stack, gets new insights into the phenomenological behaviour of the whole process.