Development of 1kW Class SOFC Module for Power Generation

Abstract

Since 2001 Kyocera corporation has been developing 1kW class Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) power module. A conceptual design was conducted to achieve high electrical efficiency. To achieve this aim, the SOFC power module has stacks of SOFC cell of high power density for high fuel utilization. The module is operated thermally self-sustainable. We developed a flat tube SOFC cell, which has high power density performance, and can be manufactured by low cost process. The developed SOFC cell stack has shown high fuel utilization performance. We also developed a new conceptual SOFC power module. This module has high efficiency heat exchanger for high thermal energy efficiency. This module structure enables thermally self-sustainable power generation at high electrical efficiency. As a result, we achieved 1200W(DC) electrical power at 48%HHV(DC, 54%LHV) electrical efficiency.