Flame-Assisted Fuel Cell Operating With Methane for Combined Heating and Micro Power

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) operating in a Flame-assisted Fuel Cell (FFC) setup have potential for Combined Heating and micro Power applications. The feasibility of a FFC furnace operating with natural gas is investigated by using methane/ air flames. The confrontation between the FFCs operating temperature and fuel concentration under various conditions was investigated which uncovered the complex performance behavior. Variations in the fuel/ air equivalence ratio, fuel flow rate and distance between the FFC anode and burner outlet were studied. A critical distance for FFC placement above the burner outlet was uncovered, which has a significant impact on the FFCs performance. A high power density of 791mW.cm⁻² was achieved which is comparable to the dual chamber SOFC and single chamber SOFC. Carbon coking was observed on the anode surface, but was not detrimental to FFC performance during testing.