SOFC Power Generation System for Shipboard Operation with Military Logistic Fuels

The proposed research examines the feasibility of using solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) for shipboard electric power generation by substituting new ceramic anode materials able to operate with logistic fuels. These anodes would allow the SOFC to operate witha range of reformed fuels containing sulfur impurities (including coal derived fuel gas, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and natural gas), avoiding the cost and space requirements of fuel pre-processing. The Navy is evaluating the feasibility of using fuel cell technology for various electric power generation applications on surface ships including auxiliary service and eventually, propulsion. The operating characteristics of fuel cell systems, particularly the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), are an attractive alternative to the gas turbine generator. Experiments will focus on identifying and formulating potential anode compositions that incorporate the use of mixed conducting materials, test them for total conductivity, stability, and sulfur tolerance using resistance measurmeents and XRD analysis. Promising materials will then be tested in IRF single cells with sulfur-containing fuel to show the feasibility of sulfur-tolerant SOFC operation. Anticipated Benefits: Demonstrating the feasibility of using sulfur tolerant anodes in single cell fuel cells in Phase I will permit further development and optimization in Phase II of sulfur tolerant anode materials and fabrication techniques and multi-cell IRF SOFC stack testing. Phase III will initiate prototype system development.