Abstract
Direct internal reforming (DIR) can be applied to solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) because the anode of SOFC usually contains Ni which can act as steam reforming catalyst. One drawback is that the endothermic nature of the steam reforming reaction may cause a steep temperature gradient in the cells. In this study, we seek a possibility to control the reaction rate of DIR by tuning the microstructure of the porous anode. As a first step, experiments of steam methane reforming on Ni-YSZ cermet were conducted varying the composition of Ni and YSZ in the test cermets. The performance of the test cermets as a reforming catalyst was evaluated as a reaction rate equation. 3D microstructure quantification was performed to the test cermets after the reforming experiments. The relationship between the microstructure of porous cermet and its reforming performance is discussed.
