A case study of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell fed with n-dodecane reformate

This communication reports the investigation of a 500 W SOFC stack made with conventional Ni-YSZ/YSZ/YDC/LSFC cells and fed with dodecane reformate. The choice of this fuel is based on the simulation of marine diesel, while this investigation is addressed to prove the reliability of SOFC technology for naval uses. At the preliminary stage and as to a propaedeutic approach, in this communication will be given information regarding the operation of a microplant consisting of a reformer for the treatment of 7 Wh of dodecane and a single button cell. This experiment was conducted in order to determine the best condition for the operation of the coupled system, in terms of S/C/O ratios, space velocity, and temperature values for the reforming process. At this stage, the effects of ageing for the SOFC were analysed. At the final stage, an integrated system consisting of a reformer for the treatment of 800 Wh of dodecane and a stack for 500W was assembled and investigated in order to asses a proof-of-concept for this technology.