Bloom Energy Corporation
SOFC system and method to decrease anode oxidation

Abstract:

A solid oxide fuel cell system and method, the system including a hotbox containing a fuel cell stack, a fuel supply configured to provide a fuel to the fuel cell stack, and a blower configured to provide air to the fuel cell stack. During a shutdown operation, the blower is configured to cool the fuel cell stack at a rate ranging from about 0.75.degree. C./min to about 3.0.degree. C./min, until the temperature of the fuel cell stack is reduced to a temperature at which oxidation of anodes of the fuel cell stack is substantially prevented.