Biodiesel formulations as fuel for internally reforming solid oxide fuel cell

Biodiesel (alkyl ester of rapeseed oil) is prepared using various, methyl, ethyl and butyl alcohols through the transesterification process. Sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid are used as catalyst for methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and butyl alcohol respectively. Biodiesel–water formulations are formulated using water and emulsifiers like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and SPAN 80 in a high shear mixer. The formulations are tested at 800 °C as fuel for internal reforming in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The formulations based on methyl and butyl esters require the use of emulsifiers to prepare stable emulsions, while ethyl esters are able to form stable emulsions without emulsifiers. The decrease in the biodiesel concentration of formulation does not have any effect on the power density of the ethyl ester formulation. Fuel cells fuelled with 20% formulations lasted longer than 50% formulations in all the formulations tested as result of increase in steam carbon ratio resulting in effective removal of carbon deposited on the anode surface. Butyl ester formulations exhibited the worst performance in both types of formulation tests. The best performance was exhibited by 20% ethyl formulation in terms of life of the cell but 50% methyl ester formulations exhibit the highest power density.

Research highlights
► Biodiesel as a fuel for internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell was investigated.
► Biodiesel is prepared using methyl, ethyl and butyl alcohols via transesterification process.
► Butyl ester formulations exhibited the worst performance.
► Highest fuel cell life was exhibited by 20% ethyl ester formulations.
► The 50% methyl ester formulations exhibited highest power density.