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Cost-Saving Alternative for Stack Reformer Packaging in Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells--Blasch Precision Ceramics, Inc., 580 Broadway, Albany, NY 12204-2802; 518-436-1263
Mr. David A. Larsen, Principal Investigator
Mr. David W. Bobrek, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82752
Amount: $99,983
Solid oxide fuel cells are a very efficient and clean method of power generation, but to be commercially viable, significant cost reduction is necessary to reduce the cost of power generated. The stack reformer packaging in tubular solid oxide fuel cells is expensive because it is comprised of machined high alumina ceramic fiber board, costing over $88,000 for a 100 kilowatt unit. This project will replace the current machined fiber board with a much more economical ceramic particulate material, and utilize unique ceramic technology to form the new ceramic into the appropriate shapes. Phase I will develop a fine-grained ceramic particulate-based material that is then formed with a unique process into an economical prototype outer-stack-reformer board shape for tubular solid oxide fuel cells. This ceramic material will be designed to meet required chemical purity (no crystalline silica), strength, and thermal properties.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The commercial application is in tubular solid oxide fuel cells. The major benefit is cost savings, since the cost of currently used, machined ceramic fiber boards is >$88,000 per 100 kilowatt fuel cell unit. Savings of at least $55,000 (65%) should be attained with ceramic particulate-based shapes, resulting in reduction of the cost of power generated.