High-temperature vibrational Raman spectroscopy of gaseous species for solid-oxide fuel cell research

This work reports the development of a novel high temperature, optically-accessed experimental facility and optical methods for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) research at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Vibrational Raman spectroscopy is applied to determine the flow-wise distributions of key gaseous species in a model Direct Internal Reforming (DIR) SOFC reformer fuelled with methane at operating temperatures of 600 and 700 °C. This work describes key aspects of the rig design for high temperature operation and details the in-situ calibration methodology developed to allow results to be reported in terms of mole fraction. A sample set of experimental results is presented and discussed. Elements of the reformer design and the operating characteristics of the apparatus that directly influence the results are identified. Potential applications of the apparatus are described.

► An optically-accessed model SOFC reformer is developed.
► Steam methane reforming is performed at 600 and 700 K.
► Raman spectroscopy is applied to obtain in-situ measurements of key gas species.
► The optical SOFC reformer/Raman measurement method shows great potential.