Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (EPDC) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) successfully completed the continuous 7,000 hours operation of a pressurized lOkW class module in December, 1998. In 1989, we started the development of the module of tubular type solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). A 1kW class module of SOFC was operated for 3,000 hours with 2 scheduled thermal cycles. In 1995, we developed 10kW class module, which was operated at atmospheric pressure for 5,000 hours continuously. This module did not need heating support to maintain the operating temperature, and the module efficiency was 34% (HHV as H_2) with fuel recycle system. In 1998, we developed the pressurized 10kW class module, and its maximum power output was 21kW and the efficiency was 35% (HHV as H_2) at 75% fuel utilization without fuel recycle system.On the other hand, MHI is developing a new fabrication technology to reduce the cell cost. Instead of plasma spray method, a co-sintering method is adopted in the new fabrication technology.
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