(67e) A High Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Operating On Phosphine Contaminated Coal Syngas

The current fossil fuel based power generation is problematic due to high emissions of greenhouse gases and low efficiencies of conversion, while the instability in price of oil highlights the need to focus on alternative energy sources. In striking a balance between efficient production of electricity and more environmentally benign technologies one cannot overlook research on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). These solid state devices can generate electricity and have the advantage of being able to use a variety of gaseous fuels like hydrogen, coal syngas and natural gas. Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the United States with estimated reserves of two hundred years. Due to the low cost of coal there is great scope for research on SOFCs operating on coal syngas. One of the main problems associated with coal syngas is contaminants, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydrogen chloride (HCl), arsine (ASH3) and phosphine (PH3), which have proven to be detrimental to the operation of a solid oxide fuel cell anode. SOFCs have been tested with H2S, HCl and AsH3, and results have been published for the effects on anode operation. However the effects of phosphine are still being investigated by researchers from different institutions. This research intended to be performed using a new generation of SOFCs, may provide data that can be useful incorporating phosphine tolerant properties or may reveal the feasibility of developing such material.