Application of the monolithic solid-oxide fuel cell to space power systems
The monolithic solid-oxide fuel cell (MSOFC) has been under development at Argonne National Laboratory since 1983. The unique design of the MSOFC provides the promise of exceptionally high power and energy densities that can be particularly beneficial to space power systems. The MSOFC is an oxide ceramic structure in which appropriate electronic and ionic conductors are fabricated in a honeycomb'' shape similar to a block of corrugated paperboard. The electrolyte that conducts oxygen ions from the air side to the fuel side is yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). All the other materials are electronic conductors, including the nickel-YSZ anode, the strontium-doped lanthanum manganite cathode, and the doped lanthanum chromite interconnect (bipolar plate). These electronic and ionic conductors are arranged to provide short conduction paths to minimize resistive losses. The power density achievable with the MSOFC is expected to be about 8 kW/kg or 4 kW/L at fuel efficiencies over 50%, because of small cell size and low resistive losses in the materials. These performances have been approached in laboratory test fuel cell stacks of nominal 125 W capacities. The MSOFC operates in the range 973K to 1273K, at which temperatures rapid reform of hydrocarbon fuels is expected with the nickel-YSZ fuel channels. 4 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOD; DOE/FE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6301391
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-910116-14; ON: DE91005833
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 8. symposium on space nuclear power systems, Albuquerque, NM (USA), 6-10 Jan 1991
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SOLID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
FABRICATION
PERFORMANCE
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
ANODES
CERAMICS
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROLYTES
ENERGY LOSSES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
MATERIALS
POWER
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE
ZIRCONIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FUEL CELLS
LOSSES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER SUPPLIES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS
300501* - Fuel Cells- Design & Development
300502 - Fuel Cells- Performance & Testing
300504 - Fuel Cells- Applications