Direct Power Generation from Low Concentration Coal‐Bed‐Gas by a Catalyst‐Modified Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Huili Chen; Yufang Wu; Guangming Yang; Jing Shi; Wei Zhou; Jianping Bai; Si-Dian Li; Zongping Shao

Index: 10.1002/celc.201800254

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Abstract

Clear utilization of low concentration coal‐bed‐gas (LC‐CBG) would save energy, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce explosion accidents during a coal‐mining process. In this paper, a novel catalyst Ni/BaO/CeO2 (NBC) is developed for CH4 partial oxidation and is used as an independent catalyst layer of a Ni cermet anode. LC‐CBG with composition of 30% methane and 70% air is directly fed to the catalyst‐modified SOFC to generate electricity. Operated on 30% LC‐CBG, the NBC‐modified cell shows better performance and discharge stability than the conventional cell without the catalyst layer. Gas chromatograph (GC) analysis on effluent gases extracted from the operating catalyst‐modified cells also indicates a higher CH4 conversion when cell is fed with 30% LC‐CBG than that fed with 3% H2O‐humidified methane. Post‐mortem micro‐structures of cell surface are analyzed. The NBC‐modified cell has a potential application for fuels containing low concentration methane and air.