Micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell stack operated with catalytically enhanced porous media fuel-rich combustor

The flame fuel cell (FFC)is advantageous for its simple setup, quick start-up, and high fuel flexibility. However, one important drawback of the FFC is its relatively low electrical efficiency, which is mainly limited by the reforming efficiency of the burner and fuel utilization. In this study, to increase the reforming efficiency and fuel utilization, a catalytically enhanced porous media combustor was integrated with a micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell stack. The second layer of the porous material was impregnated with 0.5 wt% Rh, improving the reforming efficiency from 49% to 64.8%. The fuel utilization was demonstrated to be 32.6% when the equivalence ratio was 1.6 and the inlet flow rate of combustion products to the anode of the stack was 200 mL min⁻¹. The effects of the equivalence ratio and anode gas flow rate on the electrochemical performance and efficiency were investigated. A power density of 72.9 mW cm⁻² and a total electrical efficiency of 12.9% were obtained at a voltage of 0.76 V and an equivalence ratio of 2.4.