Development of modelling and testing for analysis of degradation of Ni-YSZ anode in solid oxide fuel cells

[摘要] The ability to predict the lifetime performance of an SOFC can give guidelines for where improvements can be made interms of production, operating parameters and cell design. Microstructural analysis ofNi-YSZ anode samples undervarying steam and temperature regimes was investigated to determine trends in the anode Ni particle growth. Increasing thesteam content produced larger mean Ni radii for a given temperature. Higher operating temperatures (900°C) were shownto have a significant accelerating effect on the particle size change. Further analysis of the microstructural data highlightedprofiles for Ni-pore contact angle 9 values, as well as Triple Phase Boundary points and overlap length which both showeda decrease over time, highlighting differences in the rate of performance loss in the anode. Using models derived for thedegradation mechanisms combined with a particle packing model, Matlab® coding was developed to predict the Ni particlegrowth rate and the relative change in conductivity and TPB length per unit volume. Ni particle growth rate predictionswere compared to experimental results and showed good correlation. The data can be used to help design acceleratedtesting procedures for SOFC anodes to determine the long term performance of a given anode composition.

[发布机构] University:University of Birmingham;Department:School of Chemical Engineering

[关键词] T Technology;TP Chemical technology