Manufacturing of Anode-Supported SOFC's: Processing Parameters and their Influence

The establishment of low cost, highly reliable and reproducible manufacturing processes has been focused for commercialization of SOFC technology. A major challenge in the production chain is the manufacture of anode-supported planar SOFC's single cells in which each layer in a layered structure contains a complex microstructure. In order to improve the cell performance as well as reducing the processing costs, it has been found necessary to consider the process chain holistically, because successful manufacture of such a cell and the achievement of optimal final properties depend on each of the processing steps and their interdependence. A large database for several thousand anode-supported SOFCs manufactured annually at the Risoe National Laboratory in collaboration with Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S has been constructed. This enables a statistical analysis of the various controlling parameters. Some critical manufacturing elements are discussed along with their impact on product quality.