Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that generate electricity by direct fuel conversion within electrochemical cells. Waste heat generated in the process can be recovered for practical use. Fuel cells are more efficient than engine generators in the lower power range. They are quiet and almost non-polluting.

ALMUS AG is devoted to power generation in a sustainable energy future. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ("SOFC") are matured for operation with hydrocarbon fuels. For the near future commercially available gaseous and liquid fuels such as hydrogen, natural gas, propane, gasoline and diesel are considered.

Compared to low temperature fuel cells, high temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells offer a high degree of fuel flexibility. Carbon monoxide is a fuel, not a poison. Low Sulfur contents can be tolerated. Hydrocarbons fuels are reformed inside the anode chamber or the hot stack environment. Waste heat can be utilized to for water or space heating. The solid oxide electrolyte stacks can also be used in the reversed mode for high temperature electrolysis.

Because of its simple design the SOFC technology of ALMUS AG offers superior solutions for many applications. Outstanding features are the compact stack design, the temperature monitoring in the geometric center of the stack and the (optional) rapid start-up to 600°C in about five minutes by electrically heated bipolar plates.

ALMUS AG has developed and tested systems based on a stack footprint of 60 x 60 mm². It has demonstrated the economic advantages of a technology now ready for up-scaling to commercial systems for mobile power and stationary co-generation. The accumulated know-how is ready for transfer to commercial product developers with access to established markets. Furthermore, patents are pending and new applications can be filed. All stacks are equipped with cells fabricated by leading manufacturers according to design specifications supplied by ALMUS AG.