Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can be fueled with various gases, including carbon-containing compounds. High operating temperatures, exceeding 600 °C, and the presence of a porous, nickel-based SOFC anode, might lead to the formation of solid carbon particles from fuels such as carbon monoxide and other gases with hydrocarbon-based compounds. Carbon deposition on fuel electrode surfaces can cause irreversible damage to the cell, eventually destroying the electrode. Soot formation mechanisms are strictly related to electrochemical, kinetic, and thermodynamic conditions. In the current study, the effects of carbon deposition on the lifetime and performance of SOFCs were analyzed in-operando, both in single-cell and stack conditions. It was observed that anodic gas velocity has an impact on soot formation and deposition, thus it was also studied in depth. Single-anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells were fueled with gases delivered in such a way that the initial velocities in the anodic compartment ranged from 0.1 to 0.7 m/s. Both cell operation and post-mortem observations proved that the carbon deposition process accelerates at higher anodic gas velocity. Furthermore, single-cell results were verified in an SOFC stack operated in carbon-deposition regime by dry-coupling with a downdraft 150 kWth biomass gasifier.

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is an electric generator, operating based on electrochemical reaction converting gaseous fuel to electricity and heat. It is characterized by the high electrical efficiency of up to 70% with cogeneration and negligible emission of pollutants. Syngas from the biomass gasification is considered to be a possible fuel for solid oxide fuel cell systems. However, high level of contaminants such as H₂S, HCl, alkali metals, tars and particulates, in addition to possibility of carbon deposition and high temperature gradients due to internal reforming of hydrocarbons requires cleaning and conditioning of the syngas stream. The current status of the effect of contaminants on the SOFC performance has been reviewed and effects of single contaminants (H₂S, HCl) has been tested. It has been found that anode supported solid oxide fuel cell (AS-SOFC) with Ni/YSZ cermet anode can tolerate up to 1 ppm H₂S and up to 10 ppm HCl without significant performance degradation.