Real-time temperature distribution monitoring of SOFC cathode and contributing parameters

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) as an energy conversion device is considered as a promising technology due to its high operating efficiency, fuel flexibility and relatively low emissions. However high operating temperature related issues such as availability and durability of the materials to operate at that high temperature and for long-time thermal cycling need to be understood and overcome. These are vital areas for research to ensure availability and durability measures are maximised subject to minimising SOFC system cost. To obtain the desired power output, especially for industrial applications, several cells are linked together to form a stack and the stacks are linked together to form a SOFC power generating system. There are two ways to overcome these issues, first; to reduce the operating temperature and second; to have better thermal management of the systems. Decreasing the operating temperature however can lead to a reduction in overall performance of the system due to an increase in the resistance in the cell as well as the electrodes becoming less active. Thus, thermal management of SOFCs is significant for minimising performance losses and maximising cell/stack lifetime. [Continues.]