Effects of pretreatment on the SOFC performance and anode microstructure

• Main Authors: Yan-Cheng Shiu, 許晏誠
• Other Authors: 鐘國濱
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/03969976897031604745

碩士 === 元智大學 === 機械工程學系 === 96 === Comparing with other types of fuel cell, advantages of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) include high temperature operation, high efficiency and tolerance of all kinds of fuel. In this study, anode supported membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is adopted. Before cell operation, pretreatment on anode is needed for the reduction of NiO to Ni. Traditional pretreatment process exposes NiO to hydrogen environment at high temperature with long period of time. In addition to traditional process, this study emphasizes on the effects of closed circuit operation on anode microstructure and cell performance. By carrying out the methods, the pretreatment using current pass-through is found to be effectively and efficiently. Accompanying with SEM, conductivity and element analysis, increase of three phase boundary is considered to give rise to changes in the anode microstructure, leading to activation of the anode. Mechanisms of NiO in anode reducing to Ni and porous structure via different pretreatments and their effects on the anode microstructure are proposed.