Evaluation of micro flat-tube solid-oxide fuel cell modules using simple gas heating apparatus

•Cost effective 1 mm thick micro flat-tube SOFCs were fabricated.•Five and ten cell modules of the micro flat-tube SOFCs were evaluated.•Simple gas heaters were utilized for the SOFC module operation.•The testing unit realized quick startup operation of 20 min.

Micro flat-tube solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) modules consisting of 1 mm thick, 1.2 cm wide micro flat-tube SOFCs, gas manifold, and insulator have been fabricated and evaluated using simple gas heating apparatus. The cell consists of NiO – yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as an anode (flat-tube support), scandia stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) as an electrolyte, gadolinia doped ceria (GDC) for an interlayer, and (La, Sr)(Fe, Co)O3 (LSCF) – GDC as a cathode, which has been fabricated using cost effective extrusion technique and dip-coating technique. The cell has been investigated between 600 and 650 °C operating temperature and showed the power density at 0.75 V of 0.19 and 0.385 W cm−2, respectively. Using the cell, a five and ten-series modules were assembled and stored in insulator with small gas heaters powered by a 24 V power source for start-up. The module successfully operated using hydrogen and methane fuel.