管式固体氧化物燃料电池堆的研究进展

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are electrochemical reactors that can directly convert the chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy with high efficiency and in an environment-friendly way. SOFC technology is most suited for applications in the distributed power generation and combined heat and power system, which has been regarded as one of the most advanced power generation systems in the near future. The tubular fuel cell stack fabricated by assembling the bundles of tubular single cells is a special structure for SOFC compared with other types of fuel cells which nearly all apply planar structure. Tubular SOFC stack can be easily sealed at cool end and thereby have very high long-term stability. It has presented the best long-term stability within all types of current fuel cells and thereby has been one of the most important highlights in fuel cell fields. However, it also has some disadvantages such as the high cell ohmic resistance caused by long current route, low power density, complicated fabrication process and high fabrication cost. In this paper, the recent progress on the research and development of tubular SOFC stack is reviewed including the structures, designs and fabrication techniques of the stack. The state of the art technologies and up-to-date achievements of the companies and institutes which represent the leading technologies in SOFC fields are introduced as well. Finally, some key issues needed to be addressed for promoting the commercialization processes of tubular SOFC stacks are put forward.