A lightweight array plate with integrated reformer for a metal supported SOFC stack

Completed

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Fuel Cells)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Mr R Leah
Ceres Power Limited

Standard

DTI

01 April 2005

31 March 2007

23 months

£154,595

Power

South East

FCELLS

Mr R Leah, Ceres Power Limited

Project Contact, Chemistry, Imperial College London
Project Contact, Ionotec Ltd
Project Contact, Magnesium Elektron Ltd

None available. Total project cost = 1920838, DTI grant = 154595

Ceres Power is driving towards the commercialisation of a novel solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, based upon the use of porous ferritic stainless steel substrates, which operates in the 500-600 C temperature range. This approach differs to all other SOFC developers, and provides significant advantages in the target markets of small-scale CHP, vehicle APUs and remote power generation. To date Ceres Power has used external steam reforming to produce a hydrogen-rich fuel stream from natural gas and LPG for conversion in its fuel cell stack. This is the preferred solution for small systems of sub 2 kWe in scale, but more efficient internal reforming would be preferrred for systems larger than 2 kWe. The aim of this project is to develop a lightweight array plate with an integrated reformer, a key enabling step in the realisation of an internal reforming metal supported SOFC.

01/01/07