The use of hydrogen-depleted coal syngas in solid oxide fuel cells

Electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cells were operated using hydrogen, simulated coal syngas, and a hydrogen-depleted syngas as fuel. Open circuit voltages closely matched theoretical predictions, and carbon deposition was completely avoided. When 50% of the hydrogen flow rate was removed from the syngas mixture while increasing the overall flow rate to maintain the same fuel utilization, the drop in power density of the cell was less than 8%. Switching from syngas to hydrogen-depleted syngas caused an average increase in the area-specific resistance of 0.027 Ω cm², or 4%. The results of this study suggest that solid oxide fuel cells could operate successfully using syngas that has been partially stripped of hydrogen for other purposes.