SOFC-Life

The main purpose of the project is to construct lifetime prediction models of solid oxide fuel cells and stacks based on ex situ studies of continuous degradation of the single elements and interfaces. The quantification of degradation phenomena will be the result of systematic and long term testing based on selected points in an extensive test matrix. Periodical removal of samples and subsequent post test including quantification of chemical and microstructural changes in three dimensions will be the means to obtain relations between degradation parameters and time. Models of the individual cell components will be integrated into a model that includes mass, heat and charge transport equations, and which will be able to predict single degradation phenomena and their combined effect on single repeating units and cells. Industrial single repeating units, cells and stacks will be tested and the developed models will be applied and evaluated.  The outcome of the project will be an in-depth understanding of the degradation phenomena as a function of the basic physico-chemical processes involved, including their dependency on operational parameters.