Convion LTD, Fraunhofer IKTS and Plansee SE have one common goal: to contribute to the breakthrough of SOFC technology as a future form of affordable, reliable, and clean energy.
From interconnects, through ready-to-install stacks up to SOFC systems they present their products and services at this year’s Hannover Fair, April 13-17, 2015
Convion C50 SOFC system
In February 2015 Convion started operation of a new, highly innovative cogeneration system using MK351 stacks produced by Fraunhofer IKTS.
“The Convion C50 SOFC system can be operated with natural gas or biogas. It has nominal power output of 58 kW with 53 % electrical efficiency and over 85% total energy efficiency”, explains Erkko Fontell, CEO of Convion. Depending on the fuel gas, there are low or no CO2 emissions.
CFY interconnects from Plansee
The C50 is suited for out- or indoor installations and does not require water connection. Operation parallel to the grid or in an island mode secures critical loads in case of power outages. As modular units, C50 power modules can be installed in a parallel configuration, facilitating installations with higher power output. The manufacturing of the product has been successfully finalized and the validation with 20 kW net power has been started.
Convion currently seeks to commercialize the new product and to bring it to the market with interested partners and to showcase the future of distributed power generation.
MK351 stacks from Fraunhofer IKTS
The MK351 stack design was jointly developed by Fraunhofer IKTS and Plansee. It consists of only a few component parts and allows for a simple and automated assembly. All stack components withstand high temperatures, system and temperature cycles. A perfect matching of components to each other allows the desired high power density of the cell and the required cycle stability. Currently, the performance degradation of a stack integrated in a hot box is < 0.7 %/1000 h. “This value was confirmed by several experiments including long-term test with over 18,000 hours of operation”, emphasize Dr. Mihails Kusnezoff, Head of Department Materials and Components at Fraunhofer IKTS.
Fraunhofer IKTS and Plansee offer a license of latest background technology and IP for the MK351 stack design, so that interested companies will be able to start commercial production of such stacks.
CFY interconnects from Plansee
CFY is a chromium-base alloy containing 5% iron by weight as well as traces of yttrium. The physical properties of the CFY alloy make it ideal for use in high-temperature fuel cells. The coefficient of thermal expansion is adapted to match that of the high-performance electrolyte based on fully-stabilized zirconium oxide, for example 10ScSZ or 8YSZ.
“Plansee CFY interconnects are based on a scalable, cost-effective powder-metallurgical net-shape production, which significantly reduces production costs through a high degree of automation and high material yields”, summarizes Prof. Dr. Lorenz Sigl, Head of Innovation Services at Plansee.
Beside MK351 interconnects, Plansee produces several CFY interconnect designs for customers worldwide in pilot and industrial lines. The Plansee team will be delighted to give you more in-depth information.
At this year’s Hannover Fair you can find Convion, Fraunhofer IKTS and Plansee in Hall 27:
Convion Ltd. - Booth C54
Fraunhofer IKTS - Booth C55
Plansee SE: Booth C71