Influence of operation conditions on carbon deposition in SOFCs fuelled by tar-containing biosyngas

This paper presents the influence of operation conditions including steam levels, current density and operating time on the performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) fuelled by tar-containing biosyngas. The performance of SOFCs was evaluated by means of recording impedance spectra and polarization curves of the cells before and after tar exposure. The biosyngas composition and the tar concentration used in the measurements were experimentally measured from a commercial gasifier. The results show that increases steam level and current load would reduce the risk of carbon deposition arising from the tar-containing biosyngas. Deposited carbon was found by the change in impedance and by Scanning Electron Microscopy. SOFCs fed by the biosyngas with a high tar level are not expected to be operated for a long term, because this operation resulted in a severe carbon deposition on the anodes.