Abstract
The performance of a single‐chamber solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) was studied between 350 and 900°C in flowing mixtures of methane, ethane, propane, or liquefied petroleum gas and air with a fuel/air volume ratio of one, where their oxidation proceeded safely without explosion. Among all tested electrode materials, 
cermet and 
oxide functioned best as the anode and cathode, respectively, in various gas mixtures. A cell constructed from a 
electrolyte with the two electrodes generated >900 mV in a methane‐air mixture between 600 and 800°C and in an ethane‐air mixture between 450 and 650°C. A small electrode reaction resistance resulted in increasing power density with decreasing electrolyte thickness. The peak power density at 450°C increased from 34 to 
with decreasing electrolyte thickness from 0.50 to 0.18 mm. The working mechanism of the single‐chamber SOFC at different temperatures was also studied by measuring the catalytic activities of the two electrodes for partial oxidation of the hydrocarbons. © 2000 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.