Siemens Westinghouse -SOFC
(100 - 300 kW)

For nearly four decades Siemens has been performing basic research and product development of an energy conversion technology that is clean, highly efficient, and ideal for providing high quality power at small distributed sites. And that technology is the solid oxide fuel cell, or SOFC.

Siemens Westinghouse Power Generation has developed tubular SOFC technology as part of the US Department of Energy's advanced fuel cell research program, which is managed by DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and overseen by its National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, WV.

Siemens Westinghouse has formed a new division, the Stationary Fuel Cells division, dedicated to completing the commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells. A new factory to produce this exciting new distributed generation technology is under construction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Siemens Westinghouse is planning two major product lines with a series of product offerings in each line. The first product will be a 250 kW cogeneration system operating at atmospheric pressure. This will be followed by a pressurized SOFC/gas turbine hybrid system of approximately 0.5MW. After initial production, larger systems are expected as well. Also, a system capable of separating CO2 from the exhaust is planned as an eventual product or option to other products.

The Siemens Westinghouse solid oxide fuel cell is made up of an electrolyte and two electrode layers in a unique tubular design. This design eliminates the need for seals required by other types of fuel cells, and also allows for thermal expansion. In a tubular SOFC design, air flows through the interior of the cell, and fuel flows on the outside of the cell. At elevated temperatures, the oxygen in the air ionizes and the resulting ions flow through the electrolyte and combine with the fuel on the cell’s exterior. This is an electrochemical reaction, so electrons are released. With proper connections, they can flow through an external circuit as electricity.

Siemens Power Generation is the world leader in SOFC. This is due largely to the unique tubular cell, and the simple design of the stack. The stack is cooled using process air, and during normal operation uses no external water. It also has integrated thermally and hydraulically within its structure a natural gas reformer that produces the hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide utilized by the cell. Also, except during start up, no external heat source is needed.

More Information

Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp.
Science and Technology Center
Fuel Cells Division
1310 Beulah Road
Pittsburgh PA 15235-5098

Go to the Siemens web site at http://www.pg.siemens.de/en/fuelcells/index.cfm

SOCA
Siemens has create the Solid Oxide Commercialization Association - SOCA, made up of utilities, advisors and other stake holders in the SOFC industry. Visit the SOCA web site at www.pg.siemens.de/en/fuelcells/association/index.cfm

Source: Seimens web site 8/02