Materials and Approaches for the Mitigation of SOFC Cathode Degradation in SOFC Power Systems

The University of Connecticut will develop and validate reliable, cost-effective approaches for minimizing/mitigating solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode (lanthanum strontium manganite [LSM] and lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite [LSCF]) degradation through the incorporation of reliable materials and architectures to inhibit long-term detrimental solid-solid and solid-gas interactions. This work will develop and demonstrate the viability of the application of a cost-effective chromium getter to capture the chromium species originating from the metallic stack and balance-of-plant components. Cathode compositions will be modified to control and prevent oxide segregation and compound formation at the surface and interfaces during air exposure. Cathode contact layer modification will be developed to avoid chromium poisoning originating from metallic interconnects.

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Top: Inconel Alloy 625-240hrs; Air-3% H2O. Coloration indicates Cr vapor deposit Bottom: Pure Cr2O3source-250 hrs; Air-3%H2O. Modification-Absence of Cr vapor deposit

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Electrochemical Validation of “In-cell Cr Getter” for the Mitigation of Cathode Poisoning in SOFC Power Systems
Poster by Ashish N. Aphale, University of Connecticut, at the 2017 SOFC Project Review Meeting.
Materials and Approaches for the Mitigation of SOFC Cathode Degradation in SOFC Power Systems
Presented by Prabhakar Singh, University of Connecticut, at the 2017 SOFC Project Review Meeting.
Mitigation of Cathode Poisoning on Lanthanum Strontium Manganite Using Chromium Getters (2016)
Poster presentation by Chiying Liang, University of Connecticut, at the 2016 SOFC Workshop.
Morphological Evolution and Thermodynamic Prediction of Stability of LSM and LSCF Cathodes in Chromium-Containing Air (2016)
Poster presentation by Boxun Hu, University of Connecticut, at the 2016 SOFC Workshop.
Materials and Approaches for the Mitigation of SOFC Cathode Degradation in SOFC Power Systems(2016)
Presented by Prabhakar Singh, University of Connecticut, at the 2016 SOFC Workshop.

Principal Investigator

Prabhakar Singh

singh@engr.uconn.edu

Project Benefits

Potential benefits of this project will mitigate the LSM and LSCF degradation arising due to the presence of moisture and chromium species in the real-world cathode environment. Cost effective chromium getter materials and architectures will be developed for application in stacks and balance of plant. Mitigation of the cathode degradation will significantly increase the performance stability and long-term reliability of SOFCs, thus accelerating the demonstration and deployment of the technology. The proposed research is directly relevant to the commercialization of SOFC systems.

Project ID

FE0023385

Website

University of Connecticut

http://www.uconn.edu/