Thermodynamic analysis of a hydrogen fed solid oxide fuel cell based on a proton conductor

In the present investigation, the thermodynamic analysis of a solid oxide f uel cell based on protonic electrolyte (SOFC(H+)) and fed with hydrogen is performed. The influence of such parameters as hydrogen purity, air humidit y, hydrogen and oxygen utilization as well as working temperature on them f uel cell efficiency is established. The results obtained show that the hydr ogen fed SOFC(H+) has an essential advantage as compared to the hydrogen fe d SOFC based on an oxygen ion electrolyte (SOFC (O2-)) regarding the effici ency of chemical energy to electrical power transformation. It was establis hed that the maximum SOFC(H+) efficiency in the range between 1000 and 1300 K exceeds 80%, which is significantly higher than that of the SOFC(O2-). I t was also estimated that the SOFC(H+) efficiency at 1000 K is about 70% wh en it runs at 60% of its maximum power, whereas the practically reachable S OFC (O2-) efficiency under the above-mentioned conditions is less than 55%. (C) 2001 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.