A simple compression sealing method for planar single-cell SOFC testing

• Planar-type reactor was designed for a cost-effective solution. • Easy single-cell assembly and fast sealing. • Excellent sealing based on the use of Thermiculite compressed with low loading (0.2 N m). • Proposed strategy avoided membrane failure during all experiments (235 h). A lab high-temperature planar solid oxide fuel cell was designed and built for developing and testing new sealing strategies. The lab cell was developed to allow easy and fast sealing and to be low cost; it was made from AISI316 stainless steel and sealed with vermiculite sheets (Thermiculite). It was applied a low compressive loading (0.2 N m) to avoid the failure of the ceramic membrane (Thermiculite). The ex-situ and in-situ experiments revealed remarkable results; the leakage rate was very low, 0.44 mL min −1 m −1 . The electrochemical tests revealed a high stable open circuit potential of ca . 1.04 V @ 650 °C when hydrogen and oxygen were fed to the cell, indicating minimal crossover between the cathode and anode. The reliability of the cell design was assessed by performing several heating cycles. During the cooling and heating stages, the circuit was open while when running at the nominal temperature, 650 °C, a potential difference of 0.7 V was imposed for a total of 109 h. The open circuit potential remained stable during the whole experiment.