Direct flame SOFCs with La_0.75 Sr_0.25 Cr _0.5 Mn_0.5 O_3-δ/Ni coimpregnated yttria-stabilized zirconia anodes operated on liquefied petroleum gas flame

In the present study, the performances of a single solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and a micro-SOFC stack fueled with flame of combusting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) were studied. La_0.75 Sr_0.25 Cr _0.5 Mn_0.5 O3-δ and Ni coimpregnated yttria-stabilized zirconia were used as the anode material of the direct-flame SOFC. The operation temperature of the cell can be sustained at 500-700°C for the combustion of LPG. With the anode facing the LPG flame and the La _0.8 Sr_0.2 Mn O3-δ cathode freely exposing to ambient air, the single cell exhibited an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of more than 0.85 V and the maximum power density (P_max) of 238 mW/ cm². The micro-SOFC stack with three single cells connected in series demonstrated an OCV of 2.5 V and the maximum power output of 64 mW (corresponding to a P _max of 139 mW/ cm²). The cell performance was found to be strongly influenced by the cell temperature. And the temperature is determined by cell position and gas composition. Additionally, the cell stability and carbon deposition after operation on the diffusion flame of the LPG were also tested.