S. Elangovan, S. Balagopal, J. Hartvigsen, I. Bay, M. Timper, J. Pendleton, Ceramatec, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT
Cost and performance considerations determine the selection of various component materials in a SOFC power system. While the use of commercial alloys provides an opportunity for cost reduction, the requirements of different components vary widely. The air pre-heat and heat exchanger components face high temperature oxidizing condition while the fuel feed and reformer sections encounter highly reducing atmosphere that may contain varying levels of sulfur and CO and thus are prone to sulfidation and metal dusting. The interconnect materials must provide low electrical resistance while isolating the oxidizing and reducing gases. Thus, each of the components requires both a judicious selection of the alloy composition and appropriate surface treatments. Coating processes were developed for two classes of alloy materials for potential use as interconnects and fuel feed. A summary of the findings will be presented.
Summary: Cost and performance considerations determine the selection of various component materials in SOFC power systems. While the use of commercial alloys provides an opportunity for cost reduction, the requirements of different components vary widely. Coating processes were developed for alloy materials for potential use as interconnects and fuel feed.