Real-time thermal imaging of solid oxide fuel cell cathode activity in working condition

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Conversion

Background:

• Electrochemical methods quantify solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance but not surface chemical processes impacting efficiency.
• High operating temperatures in SOFCs lead to mechanical failures like cathode delamination, reducing reliability.
• Standard SOFC designs limit optical access for techniques like infrared thermography.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel SOFC design for comprehensive in situ infrared thermography of cathode processes.
• To correlate thermal imaging data with SOFC electrochemical performance and structural integrity.
• To demonstrate the utility of infrared thermography for failure detection and cathode activity monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a specialized SOFC allowing full cathode optical access.
• In situ infrared thermal imaging under various operating conditions and fuel types.
• Quantitative data analysis of thermal images using a dedicated image processing algorithm.

Main Results:

• The new SOFC design successfully preserved electrochemical performance while enabling full cathode temperature mapping.
• Infrared thermography effectively detected the onset of cell failure during operation.
• Thermal imaging monitored cathode activity changes with different fuel inputs.

Conclusions:

• Infrared thermography is a powerful tool for in situ monitoring of SOFC electrode processes and structural health.
• The developed SOFC design facilitates advanced diagnostics for improved reliability and performance.
• This approach enhances understanding of SOFC degradation mechanisms and cathode reaction dynamics.