Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) generate electricity using oxygen (O2) from the air, along with hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) extracted from reformed town gas or other sources. Cell stacks – the core component for power generation – are composed entirely of ceramic.
Cylindrical fuel stacks are structures of elements (laminate of fuel electrodes, electrolytes, and air electrodes) on the outer surface of a high-strength ceramic substrate tube, which produce a power-generating reaction.
The elements are serially connected by a conductive ceramic interconnector, notably a cylindrical horizontal-stripe cell stack. According to MHPS, this allows for efficient generation of low current, high voltage electricity.
Komaki pilot project
NTK has a track-record of ceramic forming, printing, and sintering and since 2016 is focused on developing both planar and cylindrical SOFCs. This know-how will be leveraged by CECYLLS to produce and sell MHPS' cylindrical cell stacks that feature long-life and efficient heat utilization capabilities.
Headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, NGK has installed various pressurized hybrid power generation systems, e.g. a demonstration plant in Komaki Factory that consists of a cylindrical solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and a micro gas turbine.