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Title: Material and fabrication challenges in the development of monolithic solid oxide fuel cells

Conference ·

Monolithic solid oxide fuel cells (MSOFCs) are presently under development for a variety of practical applications (e.g., advanced space and aerospace power systems, electric utility power generation). The MSOFC is composed of a honeycomb of very small cells of 1 to 2 mm in diameter. The walls of the honeycomb are formed from thin (25 to 100 /mu/m) ceramic layers of cell components: cathode (Sr-doped LaMnO/sub 3/), anode (Ni/Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/-ZrO/sub 2/ cermet), electrolyte (Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/-stabilized ZrO/sub 2/), and interconnect (doped LaCrO/sub 3/) materials. These walls form the passages for fuel and oxidant gases. The MSOFC will convert hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels to DC power at more than 50% efficiency and can achieve considerably higher energy densities than many other technologies. Successful fabrication of an MSOFC depends on incorporating the materials into a self-supporting structure at a higher sintering temperature. A fabrication scheme for the MSOFC must incorporate each material such that no conditions of any fabrication step will destroy desired material characteristics of any of the component layers. Material characteristics and processing parameters must be tailored and controlled to fabricate the MSOFC with desired properties. This paper discusses material properties, material requirements, and fabrication issues in the development of the MSOFC. 12 refs., 9 figs.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
5980070
Report Number(s):
CONF-890815-5; ON: DE89012422
Resource Relation:
Conference: 24. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, Washington, DC, USA, 7-12 Aug 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English