Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (mSOFC)
in APU Applications and Beyond
Dr Michaela Kendall
Co-Founder, Adelan, Birmingham UK
Senior MC Fellow, Metallurgy and Materials, UoB
Visiting Professor, Birmingham City University
Adelan
Introduction
Adelan
stacks
Microtubular mSOFC Technology
Stack integrated into
product, with BoP
tubes
Expensive overseas supplier
Adelan
Invention
Adelan
• 1991/2 - Kendalls invented and manufactured first mSOFCs; first patents 1994
• Adelan started-up in 1996
Demo CHP system 1997
1000 tube stack
• Intelligent Energy, Ceres started up at same time
mSOFCs: 1991/2 onwards Adelan
Adelan
6
Global mSOFC research groups distribution based on number of papers published
(2003 to 2014)
>90
71-90
51-70
31-50
11-30
6-10
1-5
mSOFCs Globally
• High strength of processed ceramic formulations
• Increased volumetric power density when compared with the large-diameter SOFC tubes
• Rapid start-up <10s
• Shock resistant, cold-sealing
Proven mSOFC advantages Adelan
• Co-extrusion
• Anode support
• LSCF or LSM cathode
• Improved metallisation
Key mSOFC Advances Adelan
AdelanKey mSOFC ApplicationsSub-kW Scalable Technology1-500 W per unit
Aux. BoilerBoiler
Fuse box
Domestic appliances
Space heating
Hot waterGrid electricity
Coil heater
Fuel cell heat store
Fuel Cell
Natural gas input
Hot water tank
• Niche market approach• £0 marketing budget – only word of mouth• Collaborating with early adopter companies
Adelan Targets Early Markets
RVs
Portable Electronics
Chargers
Tubes
UAVs
Etc
Micro Combined
Heat and Power
Sail boats
Military Man-Portable Power Etc
APU
Adelan
Remote Charger Etc
Commercialisation Approach: Align Technology Development with Early Sales to Validate and Realise Markets
1 kW and multi kW systems
• Defined USP
• Assessed and validated markets
• Progressing technology development plan
• Defined growth & commercialisationplans
• Define resources to grow business
Niche Target Markets
• Demonstrator education units
<10 Watt System
100 W System
1 kW Stack
(max)
Target Markets
• On-board vehicle power (e.g. motorhome, blue light, comfort)
• Remote power in emergencies
Target Mass Markets
• microCHP
• Remote power
Commercialising Innovation = Time, Investment and Risk
Adelan
Marie Curie, 2014-17
FCH JU, 2011-14
FCH JU, 2012-15
FCH JU, 2014-16
Funder From To Total Project Costs
(€m)
SUAV FCH JU 2011 2015 € 3.80 m
SAPIENS* FCH JU 2012 2015 € 2.37 m
SAFARI* FCH JU 2014 2016 € 2.43 m
NewGenSOFC* Marie Curie 2014 2017 € 0.92 m
MCA China 2015 2017 € 4.70 m
Catalyst* Innovate UK† 2016 2017 € 0.18 m
TOTAL € 14.39m
* Adelan co-ordinated/led projects† <1% from UK funding
Adelan Projects: 2011-2017
Adelan
14
Adelan Prototype Pipeline
1996
Founded Adelanand made first Zirconia microtubes
Built first large demonstrator
1997
1998-2000
First sales of demonstrators
First large commercial project; lab in Birmingham
1998-2000
2003
First small demonstrator
The first sale of 250W system and UAV demonstrator
2012
2013-2015
APU/PPP for camper van demonstrator
APU for LNG truck demonstrator
2015-2016
2016-2017
Mobile and nano chargers
~2020
mCHP demonstrator
Adelan invested >£2.5 million in R&D to build value in Adelan core technology
Most extensive IP in this area
Built lab products and sell SOFC units
Recent market growth
Climate change and energy security issues
Adelan
Adelan
• Moving upwards from 300W of power:
• Stack, system costs of €3,000 per kW
• Required: >20,000 hrs lifetimes, 100s cycles
• Operation on locally supplied methane
• Provide domestic base load electricity, with heat recovery:
– Low maintenance; robust in extreme weather
– Efficient operation on existing domestic fuel
– Clean and quiet operation
AdelanmCHP: A Challenging
Target for mSOFC
AdelanFCH JU Example Projects for APUs
mSOFC Technology for APU
Motivation for SOFC based APU systems:
• Anti-idling regulations - 5 min idling ban
• Fuel cost savings; on-board HC fuel
• Environmental case: CO2 credits; low noise
• Stepping stone to hydrogen economy
• Heat and power generation; lower investment
Adelan
SAPIENS Project: Overall Aim
Extend range of battery
Use on-board fuel
Potential for heat capture to increase efficiency
Adelan
AdelanSAFARI Project
Conclusions
• Limited commercial traction/sales of mSOFC systems due to lower TRL to PEM, growing performance data
• Growing market pull to niches, reducing technology push (e.g. FCH JU) to potential global mass markets
• Remaining issues being addressed:– Commercialisation of technology in mass markets
– Cost reductions via mass manufacture
– Improved system lifetimes, via customer feedback loops
Adelan
SAPIENS (SOFC Auxiliary Power In Emissions/Noise Solutions) was funded byFCH JU Grant Agreement Number: 303415. SAFARI Sofc Apu For AuxiliaryRoad-truck Installations was funded by FCH JU Grant Agreement: 325323.
Development of novel and reliable microSOFCs for use in APUs & otherapplications is funded by Innovate UK (TSB Project No: 132387).
Thank you!
Adelan
www.bham.ac.uk/NewGenSOFC