High Efficiency Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Internal Combustion Engine Hybrid Power System

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are a scalable and efficient form of energy production, which minimize greenhouse gas emissions. SOFCs use a solid oxide electrolyte to oxidize gases by electrochemically conducting oxygen ions from a cathode to an anode. Generally, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or a hydrocarbon molecule are oxidized on the anode side.

SOFCs do not require expensive catalyst materials. However, one drawback of SOFCs is that they require high temperatures to operate efficiently, sometimes at temperatures of 750° C. to 1000° C. High capital cost and poor durability have been significant barriers for solid oxide fuel cell technology to achieve widespread adoption in commercial distributed power generation applications. In part, these challenges have historically been associated with their high operating temperatures (750-1000° C.). While progress in cost reduction and durability has been made, even at high production volumes, relatively high balance-of-plant costs (-760 $/kW), and low lifetime average system efficiency (45-55%) still limit their value proposition and market potential. Additionally, high temperature SOFC technology has long suffered from low robustness/durability, poor dynamic response, and high stack and balance-of-plant (BOP) costs.