CO2 emission free co-generation of energy and ethylene in hydrocarbon SOFC reactors with a dehydrogenation anode

A dehydrogenation anode is reported for hydrocarbon proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A Cu-Cr(2)O(3) nanocomposite is obtained from CuCrO(2) nanoparticles as an inexpensive, efficient, carbon deposition and sintering tolerant anode catalyst. A SOFC reactor is fabricated using a Cu-Cr(2)O(3) composite as a dehydrogenation anode and a doped barium cerate as a proton conducting electrolyte. The protonic membrane SOFC reactor can selectively convert ethane to valuable ethylene, and electricity is simultaneously generated in the electrochemical oxidative dehydrogenation process. While there are no CO(2) emissions, traces of CO are present in the anode exhaust when the SOFC reactor is operated at over 700 °C. A mechanism is proposed for ethane electro-catalytic dehydrogenation over the Cu-Cr(2)O(3) catalyst. The SOFC reactor also has good stability for co-generation of electricity and ethylene at 700 °C.     

Hydrogen Production by Catalytic Reforming of Gaseous Hydrocarbons (Methane &; LPG)

Hydrogen has been attracting great interest as a major energy source in near future. The lack of an infrastructure has led to a research effort to develop fuel processing technology for production of hydrogen. In this review, we are reporting the catalytic reforming of gaseous hydrocarbons carried out in our research group, covering dry-reforming of CH₄, tri-reforming of CH₄, the electrocatalytic reforming of CH₄ by CO₂ in the SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) system and steam reforming of LPG. Especially, we have focused on our work, though the related work from other researchers is also discussed wherever necessary. It was found that tri-reforming of CH₄ over NiO–YSZ–CeO₂ catalyst was more desirable than dry-reforming of CH₄ due to higher reforming activity and less carbon formation. The synthesis gas produced by tri-reforming of CH₄ can be used for the production of dimethyl ether, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis fuels and high valued chemicals. To improve the problem of deactivation of catalyst due to carbon formation in the dry reforming of CH_4, the internal reforming of CH₄ by CO₂ in SOFC system with NiO–YSZ–CeO₂ anode catalyst was suggested for cogeneration of a syngas and electricity. It was found that Rh-spc-Ni/MgAl catalyst showed long term stability for 1,100 h in the steam reforming of LPG under the tested conditions. The addition of Rh to spc-Ni/MgAl catalyst restricted the deactivation of catalyst due to carbon formation in the steam reforming of LPG and diesel under the tested conditions. The result suggested that the developed reforming catalysts can be used in the reforming process of CH₄, LNG and LPG for application to hydrogen station and fuel processor system.     

钙钛矿材料在固体氧化物燃料电池燃料重整中的应用

固体氧化物燃料电池（solid oxide fuel cell,SOFC）是通过电化学反应将化石燃料（煤、石油和天然气等）、生物质燃料或其它碳氢燃料中的化学能直接转换为电能的发电装置,能量转换效率更高、污染更低,被公认为21世纪高效绿色能源技术. 但直接以碳氢化合物为燃料时,镍基阳极中容易产生积碳,从而失去电化学催化活性. 在阳极外侧进行一次燃料的预重整是一种行之有效的解决办法,其中高效稳定的重整催化剂至关重要. 本文将结合本课题组的研究进展对钙钛矿催化剂在燃料重整中的应用进行概述,并提出自己相应的观点和展望.     

Activation and Deactivation of Gold/Ceria–Zirconia in the Low‐Temperature Water–Gas Shift Reaction

Gold (Au) on ceria–zirconia is one of the most active catalysts for the low‐temperature water–gas shift reaction (LTS), a key stage of upgrading H₂ reformate streams for fuel cells. However, this catalyst rapidly deactivates on‐stream and the deactivation mechanism remains unclear. Using stop–start scanning transmission electron microscopy to follow the exact same area of the sample at different stages of the LTS reaction, as well as complementary X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we observed the activation and deactivation of the catalyst at various stages. During the heating of the catalyst to reaction temperature, we observed the formation of small Au nanoparticles (NPs; 1–2 nm) from subnanometer Au species. These NPs were then seen to agglomerate further over 48 h on‐stream, and most rapidly in the first 5 h when the highest rate of deactivation was observed. These findings suggest that the primary deactivation process consists of the loss of active sites through the agglomeration and possible dewetting of Au NPs.     

ZrO_2、TiO_2担载氧化铁催化剂上二氧化碳加氢制低碳烃(英文)

采用创新方法制备的ZrO2、TiO2担载氧化铁催化剂在二氧化碳加氢制低碳烃反应中显示出良好的催化活性和产物选择性,由15wt?/ZrO2给出的最佳结果为：CO2转化率为20%,除甲烷以外的低碳烃的选择性接近70%。还考察了金属Fe担载量及催化剂的预还原温度对催化活性的影响,发现催化活性随金属Fe担载量的增加而呈现“双峰”现象,这种现象可能与活性物种(零价铁及配位不饱和的三价或二价铁)在催化剂表面的几何排布有关,而两种催化剂的最佳还原温度分别为723 K(5wt?/ZrO2)和773 K(5wt?/TiO2)。     

固体氧化物燃料电池LSCM-CeO_2/Ni-ScSZ复合阳极制备及性能表征

采用双层流延法制备Ni-ScSZ阳极支撑层-ScSZ电解质复合膜.在烧结的Ni-ScSZ阳极支撑层表面丝网印刷一层LSCM-CeO2阳极催化层,得到LSCM-CeO2/Ni-ScSZ功能梯度层阳极.研究表明,LSCM/CeO2比为1:3(bymass)的功能梯度层阳极Ni-ScSZ13具有较佳的性能.单电池在850℃以H2和乙醇蒸气作燃料的最大功率密度分别为710和669mW/cm2,而LSCM/CeO2为1:0(bymass)的功能梯度层Ni-ScSZ10作阳极的单电池,最大功率密度分别为521和486m W/cm2.两种阳极单电池,分别在700℃于乙醇蒸气中作长时间运行实验,X-射线能量散射分析表明Ni-ScSZ13阳极比Ni-ScSZ10阳极具有较好的抗碳沉积性能.     

直接碳氢化合物固体氧化物燃料电池

直接碳氢化合物固体氧化物燃料电池(D-HC SOFC)具有能量密度高和运行成本低等特点,可望在便携式电源等方面得到广泛应用,已成为国际上SOFC领域的研究热点。本文对D-HC SOFC进行了热力学分析,综述了目前国际上在D-HC SOFC研究方面的现状,指出现有的D-HC SOFC研究工作绝大多数都是围绕着如何避免积碳进行。围绕着避免积碳的3条途径即降低工作温度、采用合适的催化剂和促进电化学氧化,对D-HC SOFC研究进行了阐述和讨论。文中还提到一些阳极反应机理方面的研究,并对今后的D-HC SOFC工作提出了作者的观点,认为应该在D-HC SOFC电池组方面和涉及到气体分布的阳极反应机理方面做更多工作。     

Performance of direct dimethyl ether fuel cells at low temperature

The performance of direct dimethyl ether fuel cells (DDMEFC) is presented in this study at the relatively low temperature of 80 °C. At temperatures lower than 100 °C, since water exists as liquid but DME as a gas, it is difficult for them to use simultaneously as fuel for DDMEFCs even with the low solubility of DME in water at atmospheric pressure. It has been found that the use of an interdigitated flow field enhances the performance of DDMEFC by facilitating the phase mixing of DME and water. Palladium (Pd) catalyst is not nearly electrochemically active to the anode reaction of DDMEFC and platinum–ruthenium (Pt–Ru) catalyst has been found to be effective anode catalysts for DDMEFC at low temperature.     

Development of solid–oxide fuel cell for reduced operating temperatures

A technique for formation of electrolyte thin films with the thickness of 6–10 μm of zirconia stabilized by yttria (YSZ) is developed on the basis of the method of chemical deposition from the vapor phase of organometallic compounds (MOCVD). Planar electrochemical cells based on film electrolyte with a supporting anode with the working surface area of 12 cm² were manufactured. A solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based on two fuel cells was developed and its life cycle tests at reduced operating temperatures (<800°C) were carried out for 400 h. The maximum power density reached in the SOFC tests was 316 mW/cm².     

Application of Plasma Fuel Reformer to an On-Board Diesel Burner

A conventional diesel burner has arisen several shortcomings, such a large supply of air for a stoichiometric combustion, and a long heat-up time to reach the light-off temperature of catalyst in a diesel after-treatment system. This study shows a promising potential of using a plasma reformer for staged diesel combustion with minimized air and fuel consumption, and increased the flame stability with low NOx emission. A working principle of a plasma fuel reformer for staged combustion is explained in detail by both visualizing the plasma-assisted flame and analyzing the gas products. The concentrations of H₂, CO, NOx and the unburned total hydrocarbons were measured by gas chromatography and a commercial gas analyzer. Considering the operating condition of diesel exhaust gas is too harsh to maintain a stable diesel flame with a conventional diesel burner, plasma fuel reformer has distinctive advantages in stable flame anchoring under the condition of low oxygen concentration and fast flow speed. The re-ignition and stable flame anchoring by entrapment of oxygen in exhaust gas is mainly attributed to the low ignition energy and high diffusion velocity of hydrogen molecule. From an economic point of view, plasma reformer is also the only technology which can use only 1/3–1/8 of the air required for the stoichiometric burning of a conventional diesel burner. A conventional burner was simulated and analyzed to consume up to 30 % more fuel compared to the plasma reformer with the staged combustion to get the same level of temperature elevation in a real diesel engine scale.     

Mid-temperature solid oxide fuel cells with thin film ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> electrolyte

Data on the mid-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC) with thin-film ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ (YSZ) electrolyte are shown. Such a fuel cell comprises a carrying Ni-YSZ anode, a YSZ electrolyte 3–5 μm thick formed by vacuum ion-plasma methods, and a LaSrMnO₃ cathode. It is shown that the use of a combined method of YSZ electrolyte deposition, which involves the magnetron deposition of a 0.5–1.5-μm thick sublayer and its pulse electron-beam processing allows a dense nanostructured electrolyte film to be formed and the SOFC working temperature to be lowered down as the result of a decrease in both the solid electrolyte Ohmic resistance and the Faradaic resistance to charge transfer. SOFC are studied by the methods of voltammentry and impedance spectroscopy. The maximum power density of the SOFC under study is 250 and 600 mW/cm⁻² at temperatures of 650 and 800°C, respectively.     

Determination of H2S and HCl concentration limits in the fuel for anode supported SOFC operation

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is an electric generator, operating based on electrochemical reaction converting gaseous fuel to electricity and heat. It is characterized by the high electrical efficiency of up to 70% with cogeneration and negligible emission of pollutants. Syngas from the biomass gasification is considered to be a possible fuel for solid oxide fuel cell systems. However, high level of contaminants such as H₂S, HCl, alkali metals, tars and particulates, in addition to possibility of carbon deposition and high temperature gradients due to internal reforming of hydrocarbons requires cleaning and conditioning of the syngas stream. The current status of the effect of contaminants on the SOFC performance has been reviewed and effects of single contaminants (H₂S, HCl) has been tested. It has been found that anode supported solid oxide fuel cell (AS-SOFC) with Ni/YSZ cermet anode can tolerate up to 1 ppm H₂S and up to 10 ppm HCl without significant performance degradation.      

The problem of Ru dissolution from Pt–Ru catalysts during fuel cell operation: analysis and solutions

Platinum–ruthenium catalysts are widely used as anode materials in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs) operating with reformate gas and in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Ruthenium dissolution from the Pt–Ru anode catalyst at potentials higher than 0.5?V vs. DHE, followed by migration and deposition to the Pt cathode can give rise to a decrease of the activity of both anode and cathode catalysts and to a worsening of cell performance. A major challenge for a suitable application of Pt–Ru catalysts in PEMFC and DMFC is to improve their stability against Ru dissolution. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better knowledge of the problem of Ru dissolution from Pt–Ru catalysts and its effect on fuel cell performance. The different ways to resolve this problem are discussed.     

Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of the gaseous products of the two-stage pyrolysis of heavy oils

The two-stage pyrolysis of fuel oil and vacuum residues separated from Egyptian crude oil have been carried out using a batch-type reactor technique. In the first stage, feedstocks undergo catalytic cracking in the presence of platinum as a catalyst at temperatures ranging between 380 and 460 °C and 440 and 520 °C for fuel oil and vacuum residues, respectively. Products are carried by argon gas for subsequent pyrolysis in the second stage at temperatures ranging between 700 and 820 °C and 700 and 800 °C for fuel oil and vacuum residues, respectively. The gas yields are about 94.1 and 82.0 wt% of the total products. The gases comprise saturated (C₁----C₅) and unsaturated hydrocarbons (ethylene, propylene, and butenes). By using platinum wire in the pyrolysis of fuel oil, the ethylene yield increases slightly as the temperature of the first stage increases, while it remains almost unchanged in the pyrolysis of vacuum residue. On the other hand, the propylene yield decreases slightly as the temperature of the first stage increases in the two feedstocks. By using a platinum sheet, the ethylene yield is doubled under the same conditions and increases slightly with an increase of temperature in the second stage. On the other hand, the propylene yield varies inversely with the temperature of the second stage by using platinum, whether as wire or sheet, although the yield is higher when platinum sheet is used under the same conditions.     

大尺寸固体氧化物燃料电池的电极过程解析方法

电化学阻抗谱(Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy,EIS)作为一种原位/非原位的电化学表征技术,在固体氧化物燃料电池(Solid Oxide Fuel Cell,SOFC)尤其是小尺寸电池的研究中得到了广泛应用,而工业大尺寸电池的EIS研究较少且大多基于小尺寸电池的研究结果。本文对工业尺寸(10 cm × 10 cm)阳极支撑平板式SOFC搭建了EIS测试系统,并改变电池运行温度、阳极/阴极气体组分,对该电池进行了系统的EIS测试,而后采用不基于先验假设的弛豫时间分布法(Distribution of Relaxation Times,DRT)对EIS数据进行解析。通过比较分析不同条件下的DRT结果,揭示了DRT中各特征峰与电池中具体电极过程的对应关系。与小尺寸电池相比,由于大尺寸电池的有效面积较大且入口流量较小,气体转化过程在大尺寸电池中不容忽视。本文通过解析EIS实现了对工业大尺寸SOFC单电池中各项电极过程的分辨,该方法及结果能够进一步应用于SOFC原位表征、在线监测以及衰减机理等相关研究。     

Sintering studies on Ni–Cu–YSZ SOFC anode cermet processed by mechanical alloying

New 40 vol%[(Cu)–Ni]–YSZ cermet materials processed by mechanical alloying (MA) of the row powders are prepared. The powder compacts are sintered in air, hydrogen and inert (argon) atmospheres at a dilatometer and tubular furnace up to 1,350 °C. Sintering by activated surface concept (SAS) can anticipate and enhance the densification in such powders. Stepwise isothermal dilatometry (SID) sintering kinetics study is performed allowing determining kinetic parameters for Ni–YSZ and Ni–Cu–YSZ pellets. Two-steps sintering processes is indicated while Cu-bearing material features the smallest activation energy for sintering. The allied MA–SAS method is a promising route to prepare SOFC fuel cell anode materials.     

Tantalum-containing catalysts for oxydehydrogenation of hydrocarbons and alcohols

The first methods were developed for introducing tantalum(V) into Mg-Al hydrotalcites, which are precursors of oxide catalysts for oxydehydrogenation of hydrocarbons and alcohols. Samples of oxide tantalum(V)-containing catalysts were synthesized. Their catalytic properties were studied in the oxydehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene and ethylbenzene to styrene, oxydehydrocyclization of octane to ethylbenzene and styrene, and oxydehydrogenation of sec-butanol to ketone (octan-2-one). The transformation of ethane to ethylene over the tantalum-containing catalyst occurs with a high selectivity (92–97%) at relatively low temperatures (500°C), and the catalyst is quite efficient in conversion of ethylbenzene to styrene, dehydrocyclization of n-octane to ethylbenzene and styrene, and oxydehydrogenation of sec-butanol to octan-2-one. Comparison with a niobium-containing catalyst showed that it ensures higher yields and selectivities in similar reactions than its tantalum-containing analogue does.     

Characteristic simulation with various anode support thicknesses of membrane electrode assembly in SOFC

This study focuses on the research of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and proposes reasonably practical designs, analyses, and numerical analyses with coupling software in physics, COMSOL Multiphysics, as the analysis tool to discuss the effects on the SOFC performance. This research applies the design of electrode support (anode support) to substitute the original electrolyte support, Yttria-stabilized zirconia, so that the electrolyte membrane could form a membrane to reduce ohmic resistance and increase power density. This study further discusses the effects of various flow fields (counterflow and co-flow) on internal mass transfer and SOFC performance. The findings show that the cell performance of SOFC with co-flow is better than counterpart with counterflow under anode support thickness 1,000 μm. Regarding the analyses of porosity effect with the porosity 0.7 and tortuosity 4.5, the power density reaches the maximum that could enhance the cell performance.     

Carbon to electricity in a solid oxide fuel cell combined with an internal catalytic gasification process

This study explores strategies to develop highly efficient direct carbon fuel cells (DCFCs) by com‐bining a solid‐oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with a catalyst‐aided carbon‐gasification process. This system employs Cu/CeO2 composites as both anodic electrodes and carbon additives in a cell of the type:carbon|Cu‐CeO2/YSZ/Ag|air. The study investigates the impact on in situ carbon‐gasification and DCFC performance characteristics of catalyst addition and variation in the carrier gas used (inert He versus reactive CO2). The results indicate that cell performance is significantly improved by infusing the catalyst into the carbon feedstock and by employing CO2 as the carrier gas. At 800 °C, the maxi‐mum power output is enhanced by approximately 40% and 230% for carbon/CO2 and car‐bon/catalyst/CO2 systems, respectively, compared with that of the carbon/He configuration. The increase observed when employing the catalyst and CO2 as the carrier gas can be primarily at‐tributed to the pronounced effect of the catalyst on carbon‐gasification through the re‐verse‐Boudouard reaction, and the subsequent in situ electro‐oxidation of CO at the anode three‐phase boundary.     

Hydrocarbon fuel effects in solid-oxide fuel cell operation: an experimental and modeling study of n-hexane pyrolysis

Pyrolysis experiments of n-hexane were performed and the product distribution and fuel consumption were measured as a function of temperature. The experimental temperatures ranged from 550-675 degrees C, with a pressure of approximately 1 atm, and residence times of approximately 5 s. N-Hexane was used as a model compound to represent the linear alkanes that might be found in practical hydrocarbon fuels. Under these conditions, high fuel conversion was observed at the higher temperatures and a wide range of products were formed. The experimental observations were compared to predictions from a plug-flow model using a reaction mechanism consisting of 205 species and 1403 reactions. The hydrogen abstraction and isomerization rate coefficients in this model were based on CBS-QB3 calculations. The only model modification was adjustment of the A-factor of the initiation rates to match conversion at one temperature. This model was able to successfully predict the observed trends in both product selectivities as well as fuel conversion over the temperature range. The mechanism was also used to capture the trends previously observed in n-butane pyrolysis under similar experimental conditions. Significant differences in the sensitivity coefficients for the hexane and butane systems are discussed in terms of the competition between beta-scission and isomerization of the initial radicals formed. The kinetic model predicts that n-hexane will be completely converted within 0.1 s in the higher temperature environment ( approximately 800 degrees C) of the anode channel of a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC). This result clearly illustrates the need to explicitly account for gas-phase reactions in SOFC models for those cases where hydrocarbons, especially those larger than methane, are fed directly to an SOFC.