IDEAL Cell: Overview

IDEAL-Cell proposes a new innovative and competitive concept for a high temperature Fuel Cell operating in the range 600-700°C. The design is based on the junction between a PCFC anode/electrolyte part and a SOFC electrolyte/cathode part through a mixed H+ and O2- conducting porous ceramic membrane. Protons created at the anode progress toward the central membrane and meet Oxygen ions created at the cathode to form water, which is evacuated through the interconnected porosity network. Hydrogen, oxygen, and water are located in 3 independent chambers, thus avoiding all detrimental consequences linked to the presence of water at the electrodes (low fuel and electrical efficiency, interconnect corrosion, necessity for a gas counter-flow).

The IDEAL-Cell concept effects a considerable enhancement of the overall system efficiency (fine-tuning of the electrode catalytic properties, possibility of pressure application on both electrode sides, simpler and more compact stack-design with less sophisticated interconnects, more efficient gas pre-heating, simplified heat exchange system for co-generation, availability of high quality pure water for vapour-forming).

IDEAL cell is a 4-year project organised in 2 parts, as to minimize the risk at each step:

• The first 2 years will focus on the proof of the concept with routine materials;
• The last 2 years will be dedicated to the development of an optimized short-stack with advanced materials and architecture.

The project work programme is based on extensive theory and modelling, materials development, testing techniques development, benchmarking and dissemination of the knowledge acquired during the duration of the project. The best European teams have been carefully selected according to their complementary expertise and skills so that the type of activities involved (academic research, applied research, materials supply) ensures the success of the IDEAL-Cell project.