Micro tubular SOFC development for direct hydrocarbons and bio-fuel oxidation.

The Alberta Research Council Inc. (ARC) is developing a 'Tubular Micro Solid Oxide Fuel Cell' device for portable and transportable applications. ARC is using an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) based manufacturing process for single cells that has a potential to simplify fabrication technology for SOFC single cells. 
Micro Solid Oxide Fuel Cell ( SOFC) (small diameter  5mm) have two main potential advantages, a substantial increase in the electrolyte surface area per unit volume of a stack and quick start up. These two characteristics are fundamental for the possibility to use the  SOFC for portable electronic applications.

Pirelli Labs have been developed synthesis of ceramic composites by chemical routes (i.e. sol-gel, co-precipitation…) that can be applied for anode, chathode electrolyte components. From those technologies are synthesized anodic nano-powders compositions that were suitable to oxidize directly the CH4 and bio-fuel (e.g. MeOH and EtOH).

Those nanopowder anode electrodes will be applied to the micro-tube SOFC technology to build up a system up to 1kW. The integration of ARC and PLabs activities will give a major advantage increasing significantly the volumetric power density of the fuel cell device. Higher power density translates to smaller, less-expensive devices for users of the technology.

Microtubular SOFC picture with to SEM cross-section

TEM picture of the anodic nanopowder