Succeeds in manufacturing low-temp SOFC modules using micro-tube SOFC cells

The left photo is credited by AIST (Advanced Industrial Science And Technology).


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SOFC module prototypes using micro-tube SOFC cells were successfully developed. Those SOFC modules operate at 650 degrees of centigrade or lower. A number of miro-tube SOFC cells were integrated into an SOFC unit (Fig. 2). Two SOFC units were combined to form an SOFC module. A total number of micro-tube SOFC cells used for the SOFC module was 90. The output power of the SOFC module was 50 watts or higher. The power generation efficiency was 40% or higher. The power generation density was 2 W/cm3.
Another SOFC module of 200 W output power was also manufactured using eight SOFC units (Fig. 3). The SOFC module, which consists of eight SOFC units, is considerably complex in structure. In this study, the gas manifolds and the current collecting electrodes were further assembled into such a complex integration structure.
Thus, the micro-tube SOFC cell high-density packaging technique for SOFC modules and its evaluation technique were successfully established.
The co-developer has a plan to apply the SOFC module of 200 W output power to APUs (auxiliary power units), small cogeneration systems, etc., and to evaluate the resultants. The results of this study will be presented in The Eleventh International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC-XI)、in Vienna, Austria from October 4-9, 2009

Co-developed by:
AIST (Advanced Industrial Science And Technology)
FCRA (fine ceramics research association)
NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd
TOHO Gas Co., Ltd.

SOFC is usually used for the large-scale power plant since its operation temperature is high (800-1000 degrees of centigrade). The SOFC has many advantages, for example, of high power generation efficiency, simple structure, and easy maintenance. With those advantages, there is a strong demand for development of small SOFC power generators. The SOFC modules using micro-tube SOFC cells developed this time will for sure satisfy the demand.
[Copyright by FuelCell japan]
The technical development for realizing small SOFC power generation systems is under progress. The SOFC modules, developed this time, are one of the development results and　may indicate the present level of the SOFC development. This technology is one of the watchful technologies
Source: AIST’s Press release issued on September 10, 2009

FC Chargers, Now Commercially Available from Aquafairy, and Micro SOFCs

Fuel cell chargers are now commercially available from Aquafairy Corporation in Japan. The chargers came on the market this April. The charger is one of the really commercialized fuel cell products, not many, and is the hot product.

Many medias have reported the FC charger. For its details, refer to the medias. The company’s website also presents the details of the product.

The product name of the charger is AF-M3000. The fuel cell used is of PEFC type. The output power of the charger is 3 W. The price is a little lower than 400 USD. Hydrogen as the fuel is generated in a simple manner that a cartridge containing hydrogen generating agent is set to the charger body and then water is injected into a water port of the charger body. The hydrogen generating agent is calcium hydride. In use, AF-M3000 as the charger is applied to a rechargeable-battery contained device, such as smart phones, mobile phones, mobile game machines, to charge the battery.

With regard to the hydrogen supplying system to the fuel cell system, the company has many useful technologies that have already been developed and are now being developed. Some of those technologies have been incorporated into the product, and other technologies will be incorporated into the same. Some important features are:
1) to on/off control the supply of hydrogen.
2) to control an amount of hydrogen to be produced in accordance with an amount of electric power used. In other words, the Aquafairy’s hydrogen supply control system is capable of controlling the power supply to a device (e.g., note PC) of which the load largely varies, while following up a large load variation. The control function will be incorporated into the charger next Spring.
3) To continuously supply hydrogen fuel to such a device that is operable at low power consumption for a long time. Necessity of the fuel replenishing operation and the recharging operation are completely removed, as a matter of course.

Development of micro SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) is being actively made worldwide. This tendency is part of movement to replace PEFC with SOFC. The major reason for this is to use the SOFC having many advantages for the power sources of small devices such as mobile phones, note PCs, APU and residential CHP systems. As known, the SOFC is superior to the PEFC in that the power generation efficiency is high, the structure is simple, the durability is high, and a variety of fuels may be used for the fuel.

A company (Germany) has reached a stage where the micro SOFC is successfully assembled into the mobile phone. The SOFC unit used consists of an integration of ceramic tubular SOFC elements each being 3 mm in diameter and 4 to 5 cm in length. The output power of the SOFC unit is 1 W. The primary fuel of the micro SOFC is camping or lighter gas. At least two points are unknown to me. The first is the startup time of the SOFC unit. The second is how to technically deal with the considerably high temperature. The micro SOFC that is assembled into the mobile phone, when it is operating, must be at considerably high temperature.
[Copyright by FuelCell japan]

In Japan, the prototype of the micro SOFC was manufactured at the time of 2006. The prototype was at relatively high levels of performances and reached the stage of mass production. Tubular SOFC elements are integrated into a micro SOFC unit. Each tubular element is about 1 cm in length and 1.6 mm in diameter. The output power of the prototype was 0.17 to 1 W/cm2 at 450 to 570 degrees C. Ceria ceramics was used for the electrodes as well as the electrolyte. At this time, a micro SOFC prototype using tubular elements having 0.8 mm diameter was also manufactured successfully.

The technology levels of the micro SOFCs in Japan seems to be high enough when comparing with those in other countries, so far as I know. The micro SOFCs referred to here is the one developed in an initial stage of the development and had reached a mass production stage. In addition to the micro SOFCs referred to here, there are many other excellent micro-SOFC technologies, which had been developed up to mass production levels. I have never heard that those micro SOFCs have been practically used, however. I don’t understand the reason why any action has been taken to apply those developed SOFCs to practical devices, such as mobile phones and smart phones.

I wrote the blog in light of recent small fuel cells, although it was a casual idea popped up to my mind. I have a plan to write recent micro SOFCs mainly of Japan in the form of report. I am gathering materials for writing the report. The writing work isn’t going as well as I would like. I'm planning to go writing the report in English. I feel that a fewer number of publications on recent micro SOFC technologies in Japan have been presented to general pubic.
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I have recently formed the sub-site of Aquafairy Corporation in my website, FuelCell japan. If interested, please visit my website FuelCell japan.
In my website, please click “Companies & Products” on the top page, and then find “Aquafairy Corporation”.
I introduced the company in my blog FuelCell japan-1 about two years ago.

Titanium Oxide Solidified Body Absorbs and Stably Confines a Large Amount of Cesium

NIMS successfully created a new material being capable of absorbing high concentrations of cesium and stably confining the absorbed one for a long time.
A titanium dioxide （TiO2）was used as a solidified body to absorb cesium. The titanium oxide of 1 cm3 is capable of absorbing the amount of cesium contained in a cesium aqueous solution of 100 tons, which contains 10 ppb of cesium, and stably confining the same therein. The titanium oxide solidified body is throughout prepared under normal pressure.
This leads to size reduction and construction simplification of the disposal equipment when the titanium oxide solidified body is applied to the radioactive cesium disposal. Fukushima nuclear reactor accident still continues but the radiation leak is almost stopped. Cesium 137: Radioisotope of cesium, around 30 years as its half-life, emitting radiation, and high chance of suffering from cancer when it enters the body.
[Copyright by FuelCell japan: http://www.fcpat-japan.com/]
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Micro SOFC Now in Japan

Development efforts are focused mainly on PEFC and SOFC now in Japan.
SOFC is superior to PEFC in that it is high in energy conversion efficiency, simple in construction, and high in durability, and further that it is operable with relatively many types of fuels.

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Photovoltaic/Storage Cell

Photovoltaic cell, it generates electricity responsive to sunlight, … in clean manner. The most serious drawback of the solar cell is that it can produce zero output power when light to the cell is zero or weak, … well, for example, at night, in rainy and cloudy days.

The output power drops to zero.
And the zero output power state continues for a long time.
I don’t want to use the word “variation” to express the power level changes.
I have felt for a long time that the solar cell device has been used quite luxuriously.

There are many ways to level the output power of the solar cell.
Its examples are combinations with secondary battery, fuel cell or the like.

A bold scheme is present to make full use of the solar cell.
A solar power generation station is located at such a place in the universe as to allow the station to constantly receive sunlight. Electric power from the station is transmitted to the earth by space propagation medium, e.g., microwave.
This is really an ideal power leveling approach.
I know that the United States has a plan to demonstration test the scheme in around 2015. This is a grand experiment.
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What I Think of Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Accident

I begun to write the blog around 10 days ago. I am too late to upload the blog for my own reasons. The situations of the earthquake, tsunami and power outage, which were described by me in this blog, are different from the current situations. Bear this in mind when reading the blog.
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Fukushima nuclear reactor accident, its situation is changing time to time. It seems that the sea water pouring action into the used fuel pool of the Fukushima Daiichi No.3 nuclear reactor become effective to prevent its overheat. The workers are trying to introduce the power lines into the nuclear power plant. There is a report that they succeeded in connecting the power lines to a nuclear reactor in the power plant. It is reported that radiation leaks from the nuclear power plant　have been scattered over a broad area. The area where I live must be distanced at least 150 km from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor. Radiation iodine and radiation cesium have been detected although their amounts are minute. Those radioactive substances are found in the spinach or other leaf vegetables. Shipment of those vegetables is now refrained. I am nervous when going out.

Of the earthquake disaster, Tsunami, rather than earthquake, seems to give big and misery damage. As already reported, the damage is disastrous. In the case of MinamiSanriku-machi, almost one town was flown away. Around 10,000 residents are still unknown. This town is located near my hometown. My relatives, friends, distant and younger-days memories, histories of my family and myself, memorable buildings and others were broken and flown away. This is a real thing. I have no word to express this tragedy and shock.

Takashi Hirose (journalist) wrote about the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear reactor accident. The title is “Could we avoid the catastrophic end of … ? - Truth of Fukushima No. 1 nuclear reactor – “ (Diamond ONLINE). I carefully read the report. Hirose already wrote a book titled “Nuclear Reactor Time Bomb”.
He has doubts on the value of the 9.0 magnitude. He said also that before about 100 years we had experience of the immense Tsunami, which is larger than of the present Tsunami. And he believes that the nuclear reactor accident is a man-made disaster.
Hirose describes a state that the nuclear reactor plant goes damaged: After one hour from the earthquake, the AC power source to the reactor plant stopped, and then the control/drive systems in the plant stopped. In this state, Tsunami attacked the nuclear plant. Oil tanks were flown away and the power systems are under water. The ECCS (emergency core cooling system) started to operate but they lost their functions immediately. Was there something to deal with the situation at that time or before the tsunami attacked the plant?
The nuclear power plant accident should not occur, absolutely.

I have hoped for the nuclear power plant as the most promising clean power generator. I expected that many countries would also have the thoughts on the clean energy power plant, which are similar to my thought. My hope has easily crumbled away. The forces of nature ignored and treated condescendingly the technologies on which we absolutely rely. I think that the building of the nuclear power plants will be a taboo phrase, while we clearly recognizes the need for the nuclear technology.

A large-scale power outage occurred. In the earthquake area, the nuclear power plants have halted their operations. The power supply is being intentionally stopped in the earthquake area including Kanto and Tohoku to cover the electric power shortage caused. I have never experienced such a large-scale power outage like this. This indicates the seriousness of the current situation.
Electric power will be suspended for over 3 hours in the morning tomorrow.
Electricity is used to light the rooms, and to drive heaters and cookers. Choice left to me is to go to bed. I don’t want to go outside. I am afraid of atmospheric radioactivity.

In the power outage by the earthquake, the current centralized generation explicitly showed its inherent defect, while having been highly managed and maintained. I guess that if the decentralized generation is employed, the power outage problem could be considerably eased. I should think that the government employs the fuel cell-based decentralized generation for the national power distribution system. The power outage this time is caused by the earthquake. If a war (I do not want to suppose it) causes the power outage, the situation will be more serious. If the enemy attacks the power generation stations in pin-point style, the power outage situation will be reproduced.

The fuel cell technology is not yet matured. I understand this fact. The (PEM) micro CHP system for home use, which is in the early stage market, has a price problem. Its price is still too high. The micro CHP is to be reduced to half price in around 2015. A new type (SOFC) micro CHP system will be launched into an early stage market soon. There is no reason that we must do nothing till that the technology and products are completed in satisfactory levels and matured. The fuel-cell micro CHP system has been commercialized though imperfect.

I think that a measure that legally supports the fuel cell developers to give a strong incentive to the developers and motivates them to develop the fuel cell is one of effective solutions, and increases the number of the fuel cell products while reviewing the state of the progress. In this case, the measure will be executed while minimizing problems raised anew.

The power supply frequency in the western Japan is different from that in the eastern Japan. I wonder that this frequency difference has some merit. Why do we have the different power supply frequencies in this small country?
In an emergency like this, it is impossible for the disaster area to receive a sufficient amount of electric power from the area not damaged. This is out of the question. I think that the government should immediately take some action to make the power supply frequencies equal to each other. This action should be executed at a stretch by, for example, the premier's instruction. This is the perfect chance to change the power supply frequency.
[Copyright by FuelCell japan: http://www.fcpat-japan.com/]

ARIOS’ platinum catalyst formation rate is 50 times compared to the conventional one

ARIOS Inc., in cooperation with Prof. Toru Yonezawa, Hokkaido University, has developed a process for forming platinum catalyst at extremely high rate.
The in-water microwave-excited plasma process was used for forming the platinum catalyst. The catalyst formation rate was 5g/hour. This value is 50 times as large as that of the conventional process.
In the catalyst forming process, platinum nanoparticles of 2 nanometers in particle diameter
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To learn more in English, feel free to contact at newene02"abc" fcpat-japan.com
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