I. Fagoaga, M. Parco, G. Barykin, C. Vaquero, Inasmet, San Sebastian, Spain
Ceramic electrolytes for SOFC application have been developed by high frequency pulse detonation spray technology. The produced coatings after the optimized development process are very dense, gas tight even with low thickness . These electrolytes have been applied to produce experimental disk shaped SOFC cells on planar metallic substrates (porous CrFeAPU22) with a plasma sprayed anode of NiO-YSZ. The cathode used has been wet deposited LSCF. The cells have been evaluated under H2 atmosphere at 800ºC and their performance characterized by electroionic standard testing. Further industrial prototypes (110x110 mm) for stack integration has been developed using the data resulting from the previous development.
Summary: The development of ceramic electrolytes for SOFC application by a cost effective technique with the required functional characteristics represents the main task for industrialization of SOFC equipment. In this sense, a new approach for depositing ceramic electrolytes has been developed by the high frequency pulse detonation thermal spray technique.
In this process, ceramic powders are introduced into the HFPD gun, where in each explosive cycle, the powders are heated and accelerated to be sprayed depositing a very dense, compact and well bonded layers with optimum properties for the electrolyte application.
Different zirconia powders have been sprayed and tested regarding their properties and behaviour (density, gas permeability, electroionic conductivity,...)for optimizing their performance as electrolyte.
