PERFORMANCE TESTING OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL FOR LONGTIME OPERATION USING ACCELERATED TEST METHOD

• Main Author: Natassja Nainggolan, Christine
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/81919
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The projection of Indonesia's electricity consumption growth, showing a positive gradient reaching 3.5 times the 2022 baseline, highlights the potential challenge. Hydrogen usage as a fuel for electricity production not only has the potential to meet this demand but also to achieve net zero emissions goals. The conversion of hydrogen into electricity can be done by utilizing electrochemical fuel cell devices. Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology presents a cleaner alternative for electricity production. However, material stability and degradation in SOFC remain significant challenges for commercialization, necessitating further research to address these issues. The testing variations were conducted at temperatures of 600, 700, and 800°C, utilizing CSZ-based electrolyte materials. The study aimed to investigate the operational temperature's impact on the electrochemical characteristics of SOFCs, and to evaluate the performance of a full cell based on anode-supported configuration. Testing methods included EIS for determining ohmic resistance and polarization, SEM for full cell physical characterization, XRD for crystallinity identification, and ASTM C373-88 standard method for anode porosity determination. The full cell performance evaluation for power density was carried out referencing the I-V-P curve. XRD testing revealed that SOFC cells experienced decreased crystal grain size and quality due to thermal degradation. The SOFC anode exhibited an average porosity of 24.8%, determined from porosity tests. The SOFC electrolyte demonstrated denser characteristics compared to the electrode sections, facilitating optimal ionic conductivity and preventing gas leakage between the anode and cathode. Based on I-V-P characterization, Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) values at operating temperatures of 600, 700, and 800°C were 0.945; 0.905; and 0.849 V respectively. The maximum power densities achieved were 0.830; 1.617; and 13.761 mW/cm², with ohmic resistances of 85.2; 17.9; and 2.2 ?, and polarization resistances of 137.56; 119.11; and 18.59 ?. This study identifies 800°C as the optimum operating temperature for SOFC testing and as a minimum operational condition.