Development of a Portable SOFC System with Internal Partial Oxidation Reforming of Butane and Steam Reforming of Ethanol

Internal partial oxidation reforming of butane and steam reforming of ethanol were investigated using microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) supported on nickel-gadolinia doped ceria (Ni-GDC) anode for portable power sources in an emergency situation and mobilities such as vehicles, robots and drones. At oxygen/carbon (O/C) ratio of 1.0, the Ni-GDC anode deteriorated for 28 h by internal partial oxidation of butane at 650 oC. Furthermore, power generation was also impossible after 8 and 79 h at steam/carbon (S/C) ratios of 1.0 and 1.5, respectively, by internal steam reforming of ethanol. Power can be generated over a period of more than 100 h at O/C = 1.5 in butane and at S/C = 2.0 in ethanol. We successfully demonstrated a prototype 100 W-scale portable SOFC system fueled by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).