Publication

Operando diagnosis, optimization and degradation of solid oxide fuel cell technology

2026

Abstract

Accelerating the energy transition toward systems based on low-cost renewable feedstocks and diverse energy sources is imperative. Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology represent a promising solution, offering high conversion efficiency, fuel flexibility, and combined heat and power capabilities. While material development has reached maturity, the field still lacks systematic and comprehensive investigation across multiple scales: from fundamental electrochemical processes in single cells to system-level challenges including control optimization and degradation criteria in compact CHP units. This thesis systematically investigates the electrochemical performance of Ni-GDC electrolyte supported cells (ESCs) from single-cell to system levels, based on which the control optimization algorithm and the degradation criteria are developed. Chapter 1 introduces SOFC technology and its comparative advantages. Chapter 2 employs electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with distribution of relaxation times, equivalent circuit model , and complex nonlinear least square fit to deconvolute single-cell processes, identifying dominant resistances in gas conversion (0.1-1 Hz), O $^{2-}$ surface exchange in GDC (0.1-10 Hz), coupled gas diffusion/surface exchange (1-50 Hz), and charge transfer (>50 Hz). Chapter 3 examines degradation mechanisms under biogas reformate conditions with and without sulfur poisoning. EIS analysis indicated that major degradation originated from ohmic resistance and electrode charge transfer resistances. Sulfur poisoning tests demonstrated H $_2$ S causes irreversible degradation, while degradation caused by dimethyl sulfide were fully reversible. Active negatrode GDC surface reaction was identified as the main contributor of better sulfur resistance than the Ni-YSZ anode supported cell. At the system level (Chapter 4), a ÎŒ-CHP SOFC system was characterized under operational extremes. EIS and total harmonic distortion analysis identified fuel starvation thresholds (safe utilization factor

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2026

Abstract

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Solid oxide fuel cell

A solid oxide fuel cell (or SOFC) is an electrochemical conversion device that produces electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel. Fuel cells are characterized by their electrolyte material; the SOFC has a solid oxide or ceramic electrolyte. Advantages of this class of fuel cells include high combined heat and power efficiency, long-term stability, fuel flexibility, low emissions, and relatively low cost. The largest disadvantage is the high operating temperature which results in longer start-up times and mechanical and chemical compatibility issues.

Fuel cell

A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity through a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells are different from most batteries in requiring a continuous source of fuel and oxygen (usually from air) to sustain the chemical reaction, whereas in a battery the chemical energy usually comes from substances that are already present in the battery. Fuel cells can produce electricity continuously for as long as fuel and oxygen are supplied.

Glossary of fuel cell terms

The Glossary of fuel cell terms lists the definitions of many terms used within the fuel cell industry. The terms in this fuel cell glossary may be used by fuel cell industry associations, in education material and fuel cell codes and standards to name but a few. Activation loss See overpotential Adsorption Adsorption is a process that occurs when a gas or liquid solute accumulates on the surface of a solid or a liquid (adsorbent), forming a film of molecules or atoms (the adsorbate).

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Operando diagnosis, optimization and degradation of solid oxide fuel cell technology

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