Question

Which solids are used to make a solid oxide fuel cell?
2. What is/are the fuels operating SOFCs?
3. What do we know about the atomic structures, i.e. lattices and unit cells of SOFCs?
<sub>4.Where are the materials (chemicals) resources from? Are they abundant?
5. What are potential environmental issues associated with the resourcing and production of those SOFC components?</sub>

Answer 1

SOFC's are considered a new technology of generation of power which promises to be clean and highly efficient.Here chemical energy is converted directly into heat and electrical energy thus causing low air pollution when compared to conventional engines.They use solidified oxides of metals as its electrolyte to transport oxygen anions from cathode to anode.On the anode carbon monoxide or hydrogen is produced by oxidation of oxygen ions electrochemically.

1. Solid oxide fuel cells use the ceramic ,hard compounds of oxides of metal such as calcium and zirconium.

2.Fuels used in SOFC's are,diesel,gasoline ,jet fuel (JP-8).Biofuels can also be used.

3.The unit cells of SOFC's are large in size and can crack easily.

4.Chemical resource for SOFC's are abundant and easily available.

5. The major disadvantage of these fuel cells are that they need a high operating temperature hence creating extended initiation time and problems in chemical compatibility.

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