- Rapid heating of SOFC stacks to operating temperature

- Precise maintenance of the stack temperature

- Variation of the stack temperature with changing power demand.

An innovative system for the management of SOFC stack temperatures has been developed and will be presented at the conference. This system comprised four key elements.

- Some or all bipolar plates are equipped with electric heaters. Heat is supplied where heat is needed – directly to the ceramic SOFC elements;

- The stack temperature is precisely monitored by a thermocouple placed in the geometric center of the stack;

- Electric power is supplied to the heaters only when heating is needed (start-up or increased power demand);

- A temperature controller is used to supply power (AC or DC) from external sources to the heaters as needed to obtain or maintain desired SOFC stack temperatures.

This innovative SOFC stack temperature management system will be described in detail. Experimental results show that the innovative solution (patents pending) offers significant advantages compared to conventional methods of indirect stack heating combined with remote temperature measurements in the stack environment. With this innovative temperature management of SOFC stacks operational temperatures above 600°C are reached in a few minutes after cold start.