Recovery of waste anode materials in solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

This study focuses on the recovery and recycling of production wastes from solid oxide cell (SOC) anode support manufacturing, specifically targeting the state-of-the-art NiO-YSZ (yttria stabilized zirconia) materials. A practical recovery strategy involving a burn-out process to remove additives is developed, followed by milling to manage grain growth and achieve desirable powder properties. The various reclaimed powders obtained after milling at different conditions are subsequently used to fabricate anode support microtubes through extrusion and tape casting coupled with isostatic pressing. Microtubular cells are also constructed on these supports. Comparative analyses of the mechanical and electrochemical performance, along with microstructural investigations, are conducted on supports and cells fabricated from both recovered and commercial powders. The findings indicate that anode supports fabricated from powders recovered through the suggested method exhibit flexural strengths and electrochemical performances comparable to those fabricated from commercial powders, thereby validating the effectiveness of the proposed recovery strategy.