New Material Could Expand Applications And Lower Costs For Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
October 19, 2009
A new ceramic material described in this week’s issue of the journal Science could help expand the applications for solid oxide fuel cells – devices that generate electricity directly from a wide range of liquid or gaseous fuels without the need to separate hydrogen.
Though the long-term durability of the new mixed ion conductor material must still be proven, its development could address two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells: tolerance of sulfur in fuels and resistance to carbon build-up known as coking. The new material could also allow solid oxide fuel cells, which convert fuel to electricity more efficiently than other fuel cells, to operate at lower temperatures, potentially reducing material and fabrication costs.
“The development of this material suggests that we could have a much less expensive solid oxide fuel cell, and that it could be more compact, which would increase the range of potential applications,” said Meilin Liu, a Regent’s professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “This new material would potentially allow the fuel cells to run with dirty hydrocarbon fuels without the need to clean them and supply water.”
Like all fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) use an electrochemical process to produce electricity by oxidizing a fuel. As the name implies, SOFCs use a ceramic electrolyte, a material known as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ).
The fuel cell’s anode uses a composite consisting of YSZ and the metal nickel. This anode provides excellent catalytic activity for fuel oxidation, good conductivity for collecting current generated, and compatibility with the cell’s electrolyte – which is also YSZ.
But the material has three significant drawbacks: even small amounts of sulfur in fuel “poison” the anode to dramatically reduce efficiency, the use of hydrocarbon fuels creates carbon build-up which clogs the anode – and because YSZ has limited conductivity at low temperatures – SOFCs must operate at high temperatures.
As a result, fuels used in SOFCs, such as natural gas or propane, must be purified to remove sulfur, which increases their cost. Water in the form of steam must also be supplied to a reformer that converts hydrocarbons to hydrogen and carbon monoxide before being fed to the fuel cells, adding complexity to the overall system and reducing energy efficiency. And the high-temperature operation means the cells must be fabricated from costly exotic materials, which keeps SOFCs too expensive for many applications.
The new material developed at Georgia Tech addresses all three of those anode issues. Referred to as BZCYYb as shorthand for its complex composition, the material tolerates hydrogen sulfide in concentrations as high as 50 parts-per-million, does not accumulate carbon – and can operate efficiently at temperatures as low as 500 degrees Celsius.
The BZCYYb (Barium-Zirconium-Cerium-Yttrium-Ytterbium Oxide) material could be used in a variety of ways: as a coating on the traditional Ni-YSZ anode, as a replacement for the YSZ in the anode and as a replacement for the entire YSZ electrolyte system. Liu believes the first two options are more viable.
So far, the new material has provided steady performance for up to 1,000 hours of operation in a small laboratory-scale SOFC. To be commercially viable, however, the material will have to be proven in operation for up to five years – the expected lifespan of a commercial SOFC.
“We don’t see any problems ahead for fabrication or other issues that might prevent scale-up,” said Liu. “The material is produced using standard solid-state reactions and is straightforward.”
The researchers don’t yet understand how their new material resists deactivation by sulfur and carbon, but theorize that it may provide enhanced catalytic activity for oxidizing sulfur and both cracking and reforming hydrocarbons.
In addition to its tolerance of sulfur and resistance to coking, the BZCYYb material’s conductivity at lower temperature could also provide a significant advantage for SOFCs.
“If we could reduce operating temperatures to 500 or 600 degrees Celsius, that would allow us to use less expensive metals as interconnects,” Liu noted. “Getting the temperature down to 300 to 400 degrees could allow use of much less expensive materials in the packaging, which would dramatically reduce the cost of these systems.”
Beyond its use in fuel cells, the material developed by Liu and his team – which also included Lei Yang, Shizhong Wang, Kevin Blinn, Mingfei Liu, Ze Liu and Zhe Cheng – could also be used for fuel reforming to feed other types of fuel cells.
Though the technology for solid oxide fuel cells is currently less mature than that for other types of fuel cells, Liu believes SOFCs will ultimately win out because they don’t require precious metals such as platinum and their efficiency can be higher – as much as 80 percent with co-generation use of waste heat.
“Solid oxide fuel cells offer high energy efficiency, the potential for direct utilization of all types of fuels including renewable biofuels, and the possibility of lower costs since they do not use any precious metals,” said Liu. “We are working to reduce the cost of solid oxide fuel cells to make them viable in many new applications, and this new material brings us much closer to doing that.”
This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Basic Energy Science Catalysis Science Program under grant DE-FG02-06ER15837. The comments and conclusions in this document are those of the researchers and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy.
1.New material could expand applications & lower costs for oxide fuell cells
2. Devices that generate electicity directly from a wide range of liquid or a gaseous fuels is now being created.
3. The new material clould also allow solid oxide fuel cells which change fuel to electricity in a better way than any other fuel cells.
4. These fuel cells could operate at lower temperature, & it could decrease material cost.
5. “The development of this material suggest htat we could have a much less expensive soild oxide fuel cell & that could be more compact which would increase the range of future applications”said Meilin Liu
New Matrial could expand applications for solid oxide fuel cells. The devices that generate electricity directly from a wide range of liquid or gaseous fuels will be a new development.The new material could also allow solid oxide fuel cells to operate at lower temperatures, potentially reducing material and fabrication costs.The fuel cells would potentially allow the fuel cells to run with dirty hydrocarbon fuels without the need to be cleaned making it more incredable.
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) use an electrochemical process to produce electricity by oxidizing a fuel, unlike fuel cells. The fuel cells will decrease materail cost and can work low as 500 degrees.
1 A new ceramic material could help expand he applacations for solid oxide fuel cells.
2 The developement of the material would be less expensive than estamated.
3 It would be more compact wich would increase the range of applacations.
4 the fuel cells would be lower in temprature so it would cost less.
5 the fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
new material could help expand solid oxide fuel cells
its development could adress two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells
solid fuel cells electrohmagnetic prces to produce electricty ozidizing a fuel
fuel cells would be lower in tempature so it would cost less
the fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produces to produce electricity
Andrew Rice Nov.1 5th period
1.A new material could help expand fuel cells
2.It will cost less.
3.Sulfur is in fuels.
4.We could have much more expensive fuel.
5.No problums for it.
1)The new ceramic material could allow solid oxide fuel cells to work at lower temperatures.
2)It uses an electrochemical process to make electricity.
3)It would cost less money to use.
4)You dont need to supply it with water or clean it.
5)The material allows hydrogen sulfide in concentrations as high as 50 parts per-million,
1. Durability can address problems with the solid oxide fuel cells.
2. Oxide fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
3. SOFC’s have to be purified to remove sulfur.
4. The new material can allow SOFC’s to operate at lower temperatures.
5. The new material must be proven in operation for up to 5 years.
Fuel cells woul be lower in temperature so it would cost less.
New materials could help expand solid oxide fuel cells.
The devices that generate electricity directly from a wide range of liquid or gas fuels would be a new developement.
The fuel cells would decrease material cost and can work as five hundred degrees.
The fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
. new material could expand applications & lower costs for oxide fuels
. devices that generate electricity is now being created
. the new material could also allow solid oxide fuel cells which change fuel to electricity.
. the fuel cells would be lower in temperature so it would cost less
. the fuel cells use electrochemical process to produce electricity
1.) A new ceramic material described in this week’s issue of the journal Science
could help expand the applications for solid oxide fuel cells
2.) Though the long-term durability of the new mixed ion conductor material must still be proven.
3.) Its development could address two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells
4.) The new material could also allow solid oxide fuel cells.
5.) Which convert fuel to electricity more efficiently than other fuel cells, to operate at lower temperatures, potentially reducing material and fabrication costs.
1 A new ceramic material could help expand he applacations for solid oxide fuel cells.
2. Oxide fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
3. This material will cost less.
4.Its development could address two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells.
5.The material allows hydrogen sulfide in concentrations as high as 50 parts per-million.
1. The new material clould also allow solid oxide fuel cells which change fuel to electricity in a better way than any other fuel cells.
2. This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Basic Energy Science Catalysis Science Program.
3. Oxide fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
4. The new material must be proven in operation for up to 5 years.
5. SOFCs must operate at high temperatures.
1.A new ceramic material has been found.
2.It helps the applications for solid oxide fuel cells.
3. It generates electricity directly from a wide range of liquid or gas fuels.
4. It does not need hydrogen to power it.
5. It is very cheap to buy.
A new ceramic material described in this arcticle could help expand the applications for solid oxide fuel cells. Although it still needs to be tested, this could be a breakthrough in technology. It means that we could have a much less expensive solid oxide fuel cell. The cells are SOFCs. If they can prove that this will last for at least 5 years.
1.A new ceramic material described in this week’s issue of the journal Science could help expand the applications for solid oxide fuel cells
2.Though the long-term durability of the new mixed ion conductor material must still be proven, its development could address two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells.
3. Its development could address two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells
4. The new material could also allow solid oxide fuel cells
5. The fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
1.New material could help gsas prices go down.
2.Has drawbacks such as poisen
3.Getting the temperature down for the new material will be less expensive
4.New material could be a great replacer for lots of other useless materials
5.The new material is like purified gas or propane
1) The new ceramic materia l can allow oxide fuel cells to go at lower temperatures.
2) The new mixed ion has a very long term durability.
3) SOFCs use a ceramic electrolyte, a material known as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ).
4) Fuels used in SOFCs, such as natural gas or propane, must be purified to remove sulfur, which increases their cost.
5) The ceramic material has three dropbacks: even small amounts of sulfur in fuel “poison” the anode to dramatically reduce efficiency, the use of hydrocarbon fuels creates carbon build-up which clogs the anode – and because YSZ has limited conductivity at low temperatures – SOFCs must operate at high temperatures.
Oxide fuel cells – devices that generate electricity directly from a wide range of liquid or gaseous fuels without the need to separate hydrogen.
Like all fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) use an electrochemical process to produce electricity by oxidizing a fuel.
The fuel cell’s anode uses a composite consisting of YSZ and the metal nickel.
As a result, fuels used in SOFCs, such as natural gas or propane, must be purified to remove sulfur, which increases their cost.
Solid oxide fuel cells offer high energy efficiency, the potential for direct utilization of all types of fuels including renewable biofuels, and the possibility of lower costs since they do not use any precious metals, said Liu.
Durability can address problems with the solid oxide fuel cells.
Oxide fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
SOFC’s have to be purified to remove sulfur.. The new material can allow SOFC’s to operate at lower temperatures.
The new material must be proven in operation for up to 5 years.
Durability can address problems with the solid oxide fuel cells.
Oxide fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
SOFC’s have to be purified to remove sulfur.. The new material can allow SOFC’s to operate at lower temperatures.
The new material must be proven in operation for up to 5 years.
1)The new ceramic material could allow solid oxide fuel cells to work at lower temperatures.
2) The new mixed ion has a very long term durability.
3) Though the long-term durability of the new mixed ion conductor material must still be proven.
4)The new material could also allow solid oxide fuel cells
5)The material allows hydrogen sulfide in concentrations as high as 50 parts per-million,
1. A new ceramic material could help expand he applacations for solid oxide fuel cells.
2. Oxide fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity.
3. This material will cost less.
4.Its development could address two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells.
5.The material allows hydrogen sulfide in concentrations as high as 50 parts per-million.
1. Journal Scientist have figured away to generate electricity without separating hydrogen.
2. New material may be able to expand applications and lower costs for oxide fuel cells.
3. The long term durability of the new mixed ion conductor material has to still be proven.
4. The new material might allow solid oxide fuel cells.
5. This development could be more compacted.
new material could help expand solid oxide fuel cells
its development could adress two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells
solid fuel cells electrohmagnetic prces to produce electricty ozidizing a fuel
fuel cells would be lower in tempature so it would cost less
the fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produces to produce electricity
1. A new ceramic material could expand the applications and lower the cost of solid oxide fuel cells.
2. The material may have problems with tolerance of sulfur in fuels and resistance to coking.
3. The new material could also allow solid oxide fuel cells to operate at lower temperatures.
4. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) use an electrochemical process to produce electricity by oxidizing a fuel.
5. Fuels used in SOFCs must be purified to remove sulfur, which increases their cost.
1) A new ceramic material has been found.
2) SOFC’s have to be purified to remove sulfur from the material.
3) It would cost less money to use this material.
4) The fuel uses an electrochemical to produce electricity by oxidizing a fuel.
5) It would cost less money to cool this new fuel than it would to cool others.
1.New material could expand applications & lower costs for oxide fuell cells.
2.SOFC’s have to be purified to remove sulfur from the material
3.The material allows hydrogen sulfide in concentrations as high as 50 parts per-million
1. A new ceramic material could expand the applications and lower the cost of solid oxide fuel cells
2. The new mixed ion has a very long term durability
3. Its development could address two of the most vexing problems facing the solid oxide fuel cells
4. The new material can allow SOFC’s to operate at lower temperatures
5. The new material must be proven in operation for up to 5 years
1)The new ceramic material could allow solid oxide fuel cells to work at lower temperatures.
2)It uses an electrochemical process to make electricity.
3)It would cost less money to use.
4)You dont need to supply it with water or clean it.
5)The material allows hydrogen sulfide in concentrations as high as 50 parts per-million,
A new ceramic material could help expand the applications for solid oxide fuel cells.The development of this material suggests that we could have a much less expensive solid oxide fuel cell.This new material would potentially allow the fuel cells to run with dirty hydrocarbon fuels without the need to clean them and supply water. SOFCs use an electrochemical process to produce electricity by oxidizing a fuel.Solid oxide fuel cells offer high energy efficiency, the potential for direct utilization of all types of fuels including renewable biofuels, and the possibility of lower costs since they do not use any precious metals.
1 A new ceramic material could help expand he applacations for solid oxide fuel cells.
2. The new mixed ion has a very long term durability
3. This material will cost less.
4. The new material can allow SOFC’s to operate at lower temperatures.
5. The material allows hydrogen sulfide in concentrations as high as 50 parts per-million,
1. This material will cost less.
2. you really dont need to supply it with water to clean it.
3. Has drawbacks such as piosen.
4. We could have much more expensive fuel.
5. The new material must be proven in operation for up to 5 years.
. This material will cost less.
2. you really dont need to supply it with water to clean it.
3. Has drawbacks such as piosen.
4. We could have much more expensive fuel.
5. The new material must be proven in operation for up to 5 years
There is a new ceramic material .
It was described in the weeks issue
Its gona help expand the applications for solid oxide fuel cells.
Its a device that generates electricity.
It was the issue of the journal science
1.A new ceramic material described in this week’s issue of the journal Science could help expand the applications for solid oxide fuel cells.
2.Like all fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) use an electrochemical process to produce electricity by oxidizing a fuel.
3.The material has three significant drawbacks: small amounts of sulfur in fuel “poison” the anode to dramatically reduce efficiency, the use of hydrocarbon fuels creates carbon build-up which clogs the anode – and because YSZ has limited conductivity at low temperatures – SOFCs must operate at high temperatures.
4. Fuels used in SOFCs, such as natural gas or propane, must be purified to remove sulfur, which increases their cost.
5.So far, the new material has provided steady performance for up to 1,000 hours of operation in a small laboratory-scale SOFC. To be commercially viable, however, the material will have to be proven in operation for up to five years – the expected lifespan of a commercial SOFC.
1.durability can address problems with the solid oxide fuel cells
2.oxide fuel cells use an electrochemical process to produce electricity
3.SOFC’s have to be purified to remove sulfur
4.the new material can allow SOFC’s to operate at lower temperatures.
5.the new material must be proven in operation for up to 5 years