Cell performance of SOFC using CH4–CO2 mixed gases

Abstract Cell performance was measured for a solid oxide fuel cell with dense gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte, Ni–GDC anode and (La 0.8 Sr 0.2 )(Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 )O 3 cathode using CH 4 –CO 2 mixed gases. The power density of SOFC increased with increasing CH 4 concentration (30–60 vol%) of CH 4 –CO 2 gas. The maximum powder density was 334 mW/cm 2 at 800 °C for a 60 vol% CH 4 fuel. The outlet gas contained CH 4 , CO 2 , H 2 , CO and O 2 gases. No degradation of cell performance at 800 °C was measured for 50 h when 50–70 vol% CH 4 fuels were supplied. A part of supplied CH 4 gas was decomposed to form graphite and a H 2 fuel at the anode. However, no blockage of outlet gas was measured for 50 h.