Design and optimization of a setup for SOFC anode characterization

High temperature fuel cells are suitable for operation with biosyngas feed, they provide a renewable source for high efficiency combined heat and electricity generation. At Delft Univeristy of Technology Fuel Cell Laboratory influences of contaminants generally present in biosyngas on SOFC anodes are now studied. Preliminary experiments with humidified H2 and simulated syngas both contaminated by KCl were carried out at ECN (Energy research Center of the Netherlands). In order to start investigation of KCl effects on a geometrically similar setup at TU Delft, reference Impedance Spectroscopy measurements with humidified H2 are carried out on Ni/GDC anodic symmetrical cells. Results are firstly not reliable and reproducible, so an iterative refining of the experimental procedure and setup is done in order to avoid any externality and a set of consistent reference spectra is obtained for further comparison with measurements with KCl. Some unexpected results are found, however, with low flows and detailed investigation of the causes is suggested as a future research topic. In addition, a statistical procedure for analysis of the results is created in order to minimize any error due to discretion of the operator when fitting the obtained spectra. Based on the results a modification of the setup for measurements with KCl contamination in the feed is designed and built and tools for characterization of experimental conditions are studied and employed. Eventually, a step-by-step study of the gas line in the experimental setup is made, to physically characterize it, find its influences on results of the measurements, understand what the unexpected results may be due to.