More efficient, longer-lasting solid oxide fuel cells

Off-gas recirculation fan developed at EPFL's Laboratory for Applied Mechanical Design (LAMD) © 2020 EPFL - Researchers at EPFL have developed a novel way to increase fuel-cell efficiency and lifespan, using a recirculation fan driven by a steam turbine that runs on steam-lubricated bearings. Solid oxide fuel cells, or SOFCs, are devices that produce both electricity and heat by oxidizing a fuel such as natural gas or biogas. This energy-efficient, zero-emission technology has the potential to meet domestic and commercial power, heating and hot water needs. While uptake is high in countries like Japan, SOFCs have yet to catch on in Europe, not least because steep production costs pose a barrier to manufacturing the cells at scale. But new research by a team at EPFL could prove to be a game changer. Engineers at the Laboratory for Applied Mechanical Design (LAMD), based at Microcity in Neuchâtel, have devised a novel way to improve the efficiency of domestic SOFCs, i.e. cells rated at 6 kW_e (kilowatt-electric). The steam turbine-driven fan, which recirculates gases through the system, also increases cell lifespan.