Electrode dev for intermediate temperature SOFCs

Completed

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Fuel Cells)

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)

Not Cross-cutting

Dr G Lewis
Ceres Power Limited

3

Carbon Trust

01 November 2003

30 November 2004

13 months

£200,000

South East

Dr G Lewis, Ceres Power Limited

Ceres Power developed a new class of silver-based cathodes as part its intermediate solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) programme. Based on a literature search, initial results indicate that these materials have excellent electrochemical properties between 500 and 600 C. Using manufacturing processes suited to commercial scale-up, these materials are fabricated at lower temperatures than conventionally used cathode materials. The objectives of this project are to assess performance characteristicsand durability of these materials under realistic conditions using low-cost fabrication routes. Selected materials and fabrication techniques will be tested on development cells to verify functionality and manufacturability.

Ceres Power was formed in June 2001, with the aim of developing and commercialising novel IT-SOFC technology developed over a ten-year period at Imperial College London. Ceres' IT-SOFC technology adopts the best features of existing fuel cells whilst avoiding the drawbacks. Using Ceria- Gadolinia (CGO) electrolyte films deposited on a porous ferritic stainless steel substrate, the technology is expected to be simple and inexpensive to manufacture as well as being fuel flexible and mechanically robust. This concept has already been demonstrated by Ceres with the successful fabrication and testing of stacks that incorporate their patented metal-supported IT-SOFCs. This project seeks to develop materials and processes for a new class of silverbased cathodes for use in IT-SOFCs. This cathode technology is expected to deliver enhanced performance compared with existing materials, and may be incorporated into the next generation of fuel cells developed by Ceres. It is expected that the devices based on Ceres technology will be able to be mass produced at a cost competitive with current power generation technologies. Advantages of the Ceres technology include higher efficiency than competing technologies combined with lower emissions of greenhouse gases. Ceres Power will offer this platform technology for a wide range of applications at the sub 50kWe level, which will be marketed via commercial arrangements with system suppliers of vehicle Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), micro Combined Heat and Power (mCHP), remote power provision applications, and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

01/01/07