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Chapter 16: Problem 1

Explain the fate of the main gas components in biosyngas when the syngas is allowed to pass through the anode of an SOFC producing current.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: When biosyngas is introduced into a SOFC, the main gas components (CO, H2, and CH4) undergo oxidation reactions at the anode. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide reactions generate protons and electrons, while methane goes through steam methane reforming and partial oxidation to produce more hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The generated protons migrate to the cathode through the electrolyte, and the electrons travel through an external circuit, together producing an electrical current.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the basics of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)

A Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is a type of fuel cell that uses a solid oxide electrolyte to conduct oxygen ions from the cathode to the anode. The basic components of an SOFC are the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte. The main gas components of biosyngas (CO, H2, and CH4) react at the anode in the presence of a catalyst, in order to generate electricity.
02

Analyze the fate of hydrogen (H2)

When biosyngas is introduced into the SOFC, hydrogen gas (H2) becomes oxidized at the anode. This oxidation can be represented by the following half-reaction: 2H2 + 4e- -> 4H+ + 4e- The protons produced (H+) migrate to the cathode side through the electrolyte, while the electrons (e-) travel through an external circuit, generating an electrical current.
03

Analyze the fate of carbon monoxide (CO)

Similar to hydrogen, carbon monoxide (CO) also becomes oxidized at the anode. The oxidation of carbon monoxide can be represented by the following half-reactions: CO + H2O -> CO2 + 2H+ + 2e- CO2 is a product of this reaction, while the protons produced (H+) migrate to the cathode side through the electrolyte, and the electrons (e-) travel through an external circuit, generating an electrical current.
04

Analyze the fate of methane (CH4)

Methane (CH4) in biosyngas can also participate in the electrochemical reactions in the SOFC. Methane goes through two main reactions called steam methane reforming (SMR) and partial oxidation (POX). The overall reactions can be described as follows: SMR: CH4 + H2O -> CO + 3H2 POX: CH4 + 1/2O2 -> CO + 2H2 The hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced in these reactions will then become oxidized at the anode, generating protons and electrons that contribute to the formation of an electrical current.
05

Conclusion

In summary, when biosyngas is allowed to pass through the anode of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), its main components (CO, H2, and CH4) undergo oxidation reactions. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide reactions generate protons and electrons, while methane goes through steam methane reforming and partial oxidation to produce more hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The generated protons migrate to the cathode through the electrolyte, and the electrons travel through an external circuit, together producing an electrical current.

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An electrolyte-supported SOFC is operated at atmospheric pressure and \(800^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) with the following mole fractions of the reactant and product species: \(x_{\mathrm{H}_{2}}=\) \(0.95\) and \(x_{\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}}=0.05\) (anode) and \(x_{\mathrm{O}_{2}}=0.21\) (cathode). At \(800^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), the fuel cell has \(\Delta \bar{g}_{\mathrm{f}}=-188.6 \mathrm{~kJ} \cdot \mathrm{mol}^{-1}\) and \(\Delta h_{\mathrm{r}}=-248.3 \mathrm{~kJ} \cdot \mathrm{mol}^{-1}\) of \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\), and the conductivity of the cell is \(5 \Omega^{-1} \cdot \mathrm{m}^{-1}\). The cell active area is \(2 \times 10^{-4} \mathrm{~m}^{2}\), and the electrolyte thickness is \(100 \mu \mathrm{m}\). If the cell is operated at \(0.7 \mathrm{~V}\), then determine the following: a. The inlet Nernst voltage b. The rates at which hydrogen and oxygen are consumed c. The electrical efficiency (fuel to electricity)
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