German scientists have unveiled a system fuel cell SOFC

A departure from traditional energy sources towards alternative has become a global trend. Worldwide specialists offer options for development of off-grid power, allowing to provide the absolute home energy independence from centralized power grids. Scientists from Germany have created a unique system of fuel cell, which is able to heat the room and at the same time for it to produce electricity.



According to the developers from the Institute of Ceramic technologies and systems Fraunhofer, power one installation is enough to meet the needs of the whole house. The size of one element is comparable to the box from the CD, which for home heating are combined in stacks.

We are talking about fuel cell SOFC operating on natural gas. Their main differences from other energy sources – increased efficiency in the complete absence of harmful environmental emissions.

For the first time fuel cells have been used since the middle of last century in the aerospace industry. For domestic purposes they have been used only since 2009, when Japanese scientists developed the first prototype of heating system Ene-Farm.

Earlier attempts were made to integrate fuel cells into cars. However, their use was not economically viable, since the production needed rare earth materials, making the cost of such installations is too high.

In addition, the catalysts of precious materials very quickly disabling many impurities that reduce the lifetime of the elements. German scientists took into account the shortcomings of his predecessors and went on a fundamentally new path, which gave the opportunity to bypass all significant problems.

In the result, the German specialists have created a unique fuel cell that runs on ordinary untreated natural gas. And the cost and dimensions allow to install the system in every apartment instead of the gas column.

The basis of this system based on solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that uses a ceramic electrolyte for generating electricity by reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Operating temperature for a SOFC is much higher than in hydrogen elements that are used in electric cars.

Stated that the temperature of the SOFC can reach 850° C, which allows not to pay attention to the presence of impurities in natural gas. Value of temperature will be sufficient to impurities burned in the same way as the gas is pre-divided into lighter substances.

Moreover, at this temperature, very easy to heat energy, which is needed for heating homes or generating a conventional hot water faucet.

Of course, such temperatures require a special approach to thermal insulation. But overall, the simplicity of the overall design of the energy system and the lack of precious metals in the catalyst can significantly reduce the cost of installation. In addition to heating the home, fuel cells can generate electricity. The first 150 systems in the elements of the SOFC are operated in a test mode in Europe.



Source: zeleneet.com

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