The Effect of H₂S on the Performance of SOFCs using Methane Containing Fuel

Jens F.B. Rasmussen , Anke Hagen (1)

1 Fuel Cells and Solid State Chemistry Division [Roskilde]

In recent years the interest for using biogas derived from biomass as fuel in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) has increased. To maximize the biogas to electrical energy output it is important to study the effects of the main biogas components (CH₄ and CO₂), minor ones and traces (e.g. H₂S) on performance and durability of the SOFC. Single anode-supported SOFCs with Ni-YSZ anodes, YSZ electrolytes and LSM-YSZ cathodes have been tested with a CH₄-H₂O-H₂ fuel mixture at OCV and 1 Acm^-2 current load (850 ^oC). The cell performance was monitored with electric measurements and impedance spectroscopy. At OCV 2-24 ppm H₂S were added to the fuel in 24 h intervals. The reforming activity of the Ni-containing anode decreased rapidly when H₂S was added to the fuel. This ultimately resulted in a lower production of fuel (H₂ and CO) from CH₄. Applying 1 Acm^-2 current load, a maximum concentration of 7 ppm H₂S was acceptable for a 24 h period.

Mots clés: Physical Sciences

Jens F.B. Rasmussen, Anke Hagen. The Effect of H₂S on the Performance of SOFCs using Methane Containing Fuel. Fuel Cells, 2010, 10 (6), pp.1135. ⟨10.1002/fuce.201000012⟩. ⟨hal-00576976⟩