Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Multi-Gas Sensors

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) sensors are needed to detect multiple gases within the fuel and oxidant streams with operable temperatures in the 600 to 900 °C range. Quantification of these fuel and oxidant streams can improve the performance, cost, reliability and endurance of fuel cell systems via process control measures. In order for these SOFC sensors to offer beneficial effects, the sensors need to operate in real time in the harsh temperature range with compatibility to the variable fuel constituents in minimally invasive designs that do not impede SOFC system performance. Furthermore, it is desired to integrate these sensors throughout SOFC systems to quantify chemical constituent concentrations thus necessitating low cost methods, yet that are durable for 40,000 hour operational lifetimes. To meet this market need, Skyhaven will develop a ceramic-based SOFC sensor that can quantify the chemical concentrations of fuel mixtures for the anode flow stream as well as function in the cathode flow stream for assessing the oxidant composition. This Phase I program will fabricate these sensors, assess their operation with fuel and oxidant streams over the 600-900 °C temperature range, assess variable levels of constituents found in practical SOFC systems, and conduct an economic-technical viability assessment toward commercializing the sensor for the SOFC industry. This sensor platform is directly oriented at improving SOFC power generators by quantifying the chemical constituents in anode and cathode feed streams. Extensions of this sensor technology may find utility in harsh operating environments for quantifying fuel mixtures in the oil and gas industry, chemical industry, and combustion-based processes.