Experimental Investigation of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack using Direct Reforming Natural Gas

In this study, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack has been successfully fabricated and tested by using direct natural gas. The main objective of this research was to achieve optimal long-term performance of the SOFC stack without carbon deposition by using low-cost natural gas as a fuel. The stack configuration was improved by a new interconnect design and made of cost-effective raw materials. In this respect, the stack showed maximum power of 31 W while 33 A current was applied at a flow rate of 1000 ccm for H2 (as fuel) and oxygen. Then, humidified natural gas was employed as an internal reforming technique, which showed degradation of 1.4% after 24 h. Maximum obtained power was 32 W under 33 A current at a flow rate of 1000 ccm. After 48 h of operation, 34 W of power was achieved at the current of 38 A. Therefore, the power was increased from 32 to 34 W after 48 h of operation in upper current. Finally, a suitable SOFC stack made of cost effective materials and using direct natural gas under appropriate conditions was fabricated and developed in this research.