Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. A type of fuel cell in which the electrolyte is a solid, nonporous metal oxide, typically zirconium oxide (ZrO2) treated with Y2O3, and O-2 is transported from the cathode to the anode. Any CO in the reformate gas is oxidized to CO2 at the anode. Temperatures of operation are typically 800-1,000°C.
solid oxide fuel cell; with oxygen ion conducting ceramic electrolyte; operating temperature 800 to 1000°C; fuel: pure hydrogen, carbon containing gases (e.g. natural gas, synthesis gas); state of the art: first demonstration projects are presently being carried out, commercialization planned after 1998.