Objectives : test and validate 10 kWe and 30 kWe PEFC stacks with compressed air for integration into a real fuel cell electric vehicle
Outcome: ½PhD thesis; flow field optimisation for the stack bipolar plate; robust optimisation modeling
«Recogen», SOFC system with hot gas recirculator Canton VD
Project Nr. 51
FuelMat funding : 350 kFr
Jan2014-Dec2017
Partners (4): Canton VD, HTceramix SA ; EPFL-LAMD
Objectives : implement hot fuel cell exhaust gas recirculation to SOFC system inlet, using high speed microturbomachinery, for increase in efficiency and system control
Outcome: 2 PhD theses (1@EPFL-LAMD) ; system layout to reach >60% electrical efficiency and >85% total cogeneration efficiency ; complete test rig
Roxsolidcell
Project Nr. 50
EU-EuroStars
FuelMat funding : 52 kFr
Nov2012-Mar2017
Partners (6) : CH (lead), F, N
Objectives : characterise novel robust SOFcells
Outcome: thermal- and redox-cycling, SEM analysis, instrumentational improvements
SCORED: Steel Coatings for Reduced SOFC Degradation / EU-FP7
Project Nr. 49
FuelMat funding : 243 k€
Jul2013-Jun2017
Partners (8): UK (lead), IT, FIN
Objectives : best combinations of cheap alloys with protective coatings for durable high temperature application
Outcome: PhD thesis ; new test equipment designed and constructed for multiple-sample steel characterisation (conductivity, Cr evaporation)
SOF-CH-ASE: Understanding degradation in SOFC stacks
Project Nr. 47
Swisselectric research + OFEN (Federal Energy Office)
FuelMat funding : 410 kFr
Sep2011-Dec2014
Partners : EPFL-LA, HTceramix, HEXIS
Objectives: 3 PhD thesis projects: 1 on cathode poisoning, 1 on thermomechanical modeling and measurements, 1 on SOFC stack & system control (@EPFL-STI-IGM-LA)
Outcome: 2 PhD theses; understanding on Cr volatility, detection and capture; 2 new test equipments designed and constructed for thermomechanical properties measurements
SOFCOM: SOFC Operation & Maintenance
Project Nr. 46
EU-FP7
FuelMat funding : 208 k€
Nov2011-Apr2015
Partners (9) : IT (lead), E, F, FIN, POL
Objectives : Demonstration of kW-SOFC systems with biogas and gasified biomass
Outcome: ½PhD thesis; fuel catalyst tested with specific contaminants in controlled ppm quantities, and mechanistic analysis ; SOFC system modeling with biofuels incl. cleaning ; quantitative evalution of application potential in CH, D, FIN, IT.
Objectives : modeling assistance (robust optimisation), stack and post-test characterisation
Outcome: ½PhD thesis; long term testing and cycling of stack units from the production line
WoodgasSOFC
Project Nr. 43
CCEM (ETH-Domain)
FuelMat funding : 255 kFr
JAN2012-DEC2014
Partners : PSI, EMPA, HTceramix company
Objectives: analyse woodgas online; test SOFC anode in woodgas mixtures; system modeling for thermally integrated SOFC-woodgas unit; operate SOFC with woodgas & hot gas cleaning
Outcome: ½PhD thesis ; fuel catalyst tested with specific contaminants in controlled ppm quantities, and mechanistic analysis ; complete woodgas-SOFC system model
In situ environmental TEM of Ni anode reduction/reoxidation
Project Nr. 42
Swiss Natl Science Foundation
CIME / FuelMat funding : 225 kFr
JUN2010-OCT2014
Partners : EPFL-CIME (PI); Centre for Electron Nanoscopy (Copenhagen, DK)
Objectives : elucidate reduction/oxidation mechanisms of Ni catalyst under live observation in an environmental tranmission electron microscope
Outcome: PhD thesis; understanding of Ni catalyst microstructural (in)stability; kinetic models for NiO reduction and Ni reoxidation developed
Link to official website
«De-Sign» (Degradation Signatures in SOFC)
Project Nr. 41
EU-FP7
FuelMat funding : 316 k€
JAN2011-JUN2014
Partners (8) : F (lead), D, FIN, IT, NL
Objectives : identify SOFC degradation signatures and apply mitigation procedures
Outcome : cells and stacks testing; stable operation at very high fuel conversion (90%)
Link to official website
«SOFC-Life»
Project Nr. 40
EU-FP7
FuelMat funding : 218 k€
JAN2011-DEC2013
Partners (10) : D (lead), F, FIN, RUS, UK
Objectives : measure and model selected durability processes in SOFCs
Outcome : PhD thesis; cathode and steel investigations between 0 and 3000h
