Microtubular SOFC Stacks

In 2000, Acumentrics Corp built a 1000-cell stack to illustrate the possibility of providing reliable power for computer systems back up. Since then, Acumentrics has designed and built several 2-5 kW systems using microtubular cells for use as back up power sources for broadband and computer systems. 

Microtubular SOFCs have also been effectively used to test the operation of SOFCs on various hydrocarbon fuels. A significant benefit of the microtubular 

I ifjiire H.29 Appiirntus for ineiistiriiii/fiicl miclUms in a microluhiilar cell. 

Various alternative cell designs are under development to avoid the difficulties mentioned above. For example, flattened ribbed cells have been conceived to obtain higher power densities than tubular cells yet require no seals. Another example is the seal-less planar design which is being developed to ease the sealing issues of planar cell stacks. 

Montgomery, E. Ong and J. Yamanis, in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells VI, eds. S. C. Singhal and M. Dokiya, The Electrochemical Society, Pennington, NJ, PV99-19,1999,p.67. 

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Sammes N.M., Du Y., Bove R. (2005) Design and fabrication of a 100 W anode supported microtubular SOFC stack. Journal of Power Sources 145, 428 434. 

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