In-Situ Measurement of Surface Deformation and Temperature of SOFC Button Cell as a Function of Current Density

An experimental technique is developed that can measure in-situ surface deformation and monitor surface temperature of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode, along with its electrochemical performance. In this research, a NexTech Probostat™ button cell test apparatus is modified and integrated with Sagnac interferometric optical setup and infrared sensor for anode surface deformation and temperature measurement respectively. The cell surface transient temperature is monitored as a function of applied current densities in hydrogen and simulated syngas environment. The surface deformation is also measured over time to estimate the anode material degradation to predict its structural life. The experimental results are useful to validate the SOFC structural and electrochemical models.