IEC TS 62282-7-2:2014

IEC TS 62282-7-2 ®
Edition 1.0 2014-05
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
SPECIFICATION
TECHNIQUE
Fuel cell technologies –
Part 7-2: Test methods – Single cell and stack performance tests for solid oxide
fuel cells (SOFC)
Technologies des piles à combustible –
Partie 7-2: Méthodes d'essai – Essais de performance de cellule élémentaire et
de pile pour les piles à combustible à oxyde solide (SOFC)

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IEC TS 62282-7-2 ®
Edition 1.0 2014-05
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
SPECIFICATION
TECHNIQUE
Fuel cell technologies –
Part 7-2: Test methods – Single cell and stack performance tests for solid oxide

fuel cells (SOFC)
Technologies des piles à combustible –

Partie 7-2: Méthodes d'essai – Essais de performance de cellule élémentaire et

de pile pour les piles à combustible à oxyde solide (SOFC)

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX X
ICS 27.070 ISBN 978-2-8322-1539-5

– 2 – IEC TS 62282-7-2:2014  IEC 2014
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms, definitions and symbols. 9
3.1 Terms and definitions . 9
3.2 Symbols . 11
4 General safety conditions . 12
5 Cell/stack assembly unit . 12
6 Testing system . 13
6.1 Subsystems in testing system . 13
6.1.1 General . 13
6.1.2 Anode gas control subsystem . 13
6.1.3 Cathode gas control subsystem . 13
6.1.4 Cell/stack assembly unit temperature control subsystem . 13
6.1.5 Output power control subsystem . 14
6.1.6 Measurement and data acquisition subsystem . 14
6.1.7 Safety subsystem . 14
6.1.8 Mechanical load control subsystem. 14
6.1.9 Gas pressure control subsystem for anode and cathode . 14
6.1.10 Test system control subsystem . 14
6.2 Maximum variation in control items of testing system . 14
7 Instruments and measurement methods . 15
7.1 General . 15
7.2 Instrument uncertainty . 15
7.3 Anode gas . 15
7.3.1 Anode gas flow rate . 15
7.3.2 Anode gas composition . 16
7.3.3 Anode gas temperature . 16
7.3.4 Anode gas pressure . 17
7.3.5 Anode exhaust gas flow rate . 17
7.3.6 Anode exhaust gas component . 17
7.3.7 Anode exhaust gas temperature . 17
7.3.8 Anode exhaust gas pressure. 17
7.4 Cathode gas . 18
7.4.1 Cathode gas flow rate . 18
7.4.2 Cathode gas component . 18
7.4.3 Cathode gas temperature . 18
7.4.4 Cathode gas pressure. 18
7.4.5 Cathode exhaust gas flow rate . 18
7.4.6 Cathode exhaust gas component . 19
7.4.7 Cathode exhaust gas temperature . 19
7.4.8 Cathode exhaust gas pressure . 19
7.5 Output voltage . 19
7.6 Output current . 19

7.7 Cell/stack assembly unit temperature . 19
7.8 Mechanical load . 19
7.9 Total impedance . 20
7.10 Ambient condition . 20
8 Test preparation . 20
8.1 General . 20
8.2 Standard test condition and test range . 20
8.3 Components and impurities of anode gas and cathode gas . 21
8.4 Basis of the test procedure . 21
8.5 Confirmation of aging condition for unit . 21
8.6 Confirmation of criteria of stable state . 21
8.7 Data acquisition method . 21
9 Test procedure . 21
9.1 Set-up . 21
9.2 Initial conditioning . 22
9.3 Shut-down . 22
10 Performance test . 22
10.1 Rated power test . 22
10.1.1 Objective . 22
10.1.2 Test method . 22
10.1.3 Presentation of results . 22
10.2 Current-voltage characteristics test . 23
10.2.1 Objective . 23
10.2.2 Test method . 23
10.2.3 Presentation of results . 23
10.3 Effective fuel utilization dependency test . 24
10.3.1 Objective . 24
10.3.2 Test method . 24
10.3.3 Presentation of results . 24
10.4 Long term durability test . 25
10.4.1 Objective . 25
10.4.2 Test method . 25
10.4.3 Presentation of results . 26
10.5 Thermal cycling durability test . 26
10.5.1 Objective . 26
10.5.2 Test method . 26
10.5.3 Presentation of results . 27
10.6 Internal reforming performance test . 27
10.6.1 Objective . 27
10.6.2 Test method . 27
10.6.3 Presentation of results . 27
10.7 Resistance components identification test . 27
10.7.1 Objective . 27
10.7.2 Test method . 28
10.7.3 Presentation of results . 28
11 Test report . 29
11.1 General . 29
11.2 Report items . 29

– 4 – IEC TS 62282-7-2:2014  IEC 2014
11.3 Test unit data description . 30
11.4 Test condition description . 30
11.5 Test data description . 30
11.6 Uncertainty evaluation . 30
Annex A (informative) Example of cell assembly unit . 31
Annex B (informative) Calculation of effective fuel utilization . 32
B.1 Calculation method . 32
B.2 Calculation examples . 33
B.2.1 Calculation from anode gas composition and flow-rate. 33
B.2.2 Calculation from supplied H2 and H2O flow rate . 33
Annex C (informative) Calculation of effective oxygen utilization . 34
C.1 Calculation method . 34
C.2 Calculation example . 34
Annex D (informative) Maximum width of the voltage hysteresis in I-V characteristic
test . 36
Annex E (informative) Current-voltage characteristic test under constant effective fuel
utilization . 37
Annex F (informative) Test report (template) . 38
F.1 General information . 38
F.2 Test unit data description . 38
F.3 Test condition . 39
F.4 Rated power test . 39
F.5 Current-voltage characteristics test . 39
F.6 Effective fuel utilization dependency test . 40
F.7 Long-term durability test . 41
F.8 Thermal cycling durability test . 42
F.9 Internal reforming performance test . 42
F.10 Resistance components identification test . 43
Annex G (informative) Method for finding instrument uncertainty . 44
Bibliography . 45

Figure 1 – Testing system . 13
Figure 2 – Typical diagram of complex impedance plot for SOFC . 29
Figure A.1 – Example of cell assembly unit . 31
Figure D.1 – Voltage hysteresis at a given sweep rate in I-V characteristic test . 36
Figure E.1 – Example of the record in current-voltage characteristic test under
constant effective fuel utilization . 37

Table 1 – Symbols . 11
Table B.1 − n for representative fuels . 33
j
Table B.2 − Anode gas composition, flow rate of each fuel component f , and n f . 33
j j j
Table C.1 − Cathode gas composition, f , and I . 35
O2 theory
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES –
Part 7-2: Test methods –
Single cell and stack performance tests for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC)

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
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with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
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3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
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6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
The main task of IEC technical committees is to prepare International Standards. In
exceptional circumstances, a technical committee may propose the publication of a technical
specification when
• the required support cannot be obtained for the publication of an International Standard,
despite repeated efforts, or
• the subject is still under technical development or where, for any other reason, there is the
future but no immediate possibility of an agreement on an International Standard.
Technical specifications are subject to review within three years of publication to decide
whether they can be transformed into International Standards.
IEC TS 62282-7-2, which is a technical specification, has been prepared by IEC technical
committee 105: Fuel cell technologies.

– 6 – IEC TS 62282-7-2:2014  IEC 2014
The text of this technical specification is based on the following documents:
Enquiry draft Report on voting
105/443/DTS 105/498/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this technical specification can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of the IEC 62282 series, under the general title: Fuel cell technologies, can
be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• transformed into an International standard,
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
INTRODUCTION
This technical specification describes test methods for a single cell and stack (denoted as
"cell/stack" hereafter) that is to be employed in power generation systems using solid oxide
fuel cells (SOFCs).
SOFCs have a broad range of geometry and size. As such, in general, peripherals like current
collectors and gas manifolds are unique to each cell or stack and are often incorporated into a
cell or stack to form one integrated unit. In addition, they tend to have a significant effect on
the power generation characteristics of the cell or stack. This technical specification therefore
introduces as its subject “cell/stack assembly units,” which are defined as those units
containing not only a cell or stack but also peripherals.

– 8 – IEC TS 62282-7-2:2014  IEC 2014
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES –
Part 7-2: Test methods –
Single cell and stack performance tests for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC)

1 Scope
This part of IEC 62282, which is a technical specification, provides for SOFC cell/stack
assembly units, testing systems, instruments and measuring methods, and test methods to
test the performance of SOFC cells and stacks.
This technical specification is not applicable to small button cells that are designed for SOFC
material testing and provide no practical means of fuel utilization measurement.
This technical specification is to be used for data exchanges in commercial transactions
between cell/stack manufacturers and system developers or for acquiring data on a cell or
stack in order to estimate the performance of a system based on it. Users of this technical
specification may selectively execute test items suitable for their purposes from those
described in this technical specification.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
Part 1: EMF specifications and tolerances
IEC 60584-1, Thermocouples –
IEC 60584-2, Thermocouples – Part 2: Tolerances
IEC 60584-3, Thermocouples – Part 3: Extension and compensating cables – Tolerances and
identification system
IEC 61515, Mineral insulated thermocouple cables and thermocouples
IEC TS 62282-1:2013, Fuel cell technologies – Part 1: Terminology
ISO 4260, Petroleum products and hydrocarbons – Determination of sulfur content – Wickbold
combustion method
ISO 5168, Measurement of fluid flow – Procedures for the evaluation of uncertainties
ISO 6141, Gas analysis – Requirements for certificates for calibration gases and gas mixtures
ISO 6142, Gas analysis – Preparation of calibration gas mixtures – Gravimetric method
ISO 6143, Gas analysis – Comparison methods for determining and checking the composition
of calibration gas mixtures
ISO 6145-7, Gas analysis – Preparation of calibration gas mixtures using dynamic volumetric
methods – Part 7: Thermal mass-flow controllers

ISO 6974 (all parts), Natural gas – Determination of composition with defined uncertainty by
gas chromatography
ISO 7066-2, Assessment of uncertainty in the calibration and use of flow measurement
devices – Part 2: Non-linear calibration relationships
ISO 8573-1, Compressed air – Part 1: Contaminants and purity classes
ISO 8756, Air quality – Handling of temperature, pressure and humidity data
ISO 12185, Crude petroleum and petroleum products – Determination of density – Oscillating
U-tube method
3 Terms, definitions and symbols
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC TS 62282-1, as well
as the following terms and definitions, apply.
3.1.1
cell/stack assembly unit
unit including a single cell or stack, as well as gas supply parts, current collector parts, and
any other peripherals as required for power generation tests
3.1.2
active electrode area
geometric electrode area upon which an electrochemical reaction occurs
Note 1 to entry: Usually this is the smaller of the anode and cathode areas.
3.1.3
current density
current divided by active electrode area
3.1.4
average cell voltage
cell/stack assembly unit voltage divided by the number of the cells in a series connection in
the unit
3.1.5
normal temperature and pressure
NTP
0 °C and 101,325 kPa, respectively
3.1.6
anode gas
gas which is supplied to the inlet of the anode of a single cell/stack assembly unit
Note 1 to entry: Such a gas belongs to one of the following categories:
a) pure hydrogen or mixture which contains hydrogen as a principal component with water vapour or nitrogen;
b) reformed gas of raw fuel of SOFC such as methane or kerosene premixed with water vapour or air as oxidant;
c) simulated gas of reformate which contains hydrogen, water vapour, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrogen, etc, as main components;
d) methane, alcohols and other raw fuels directly supplied in pure form or mixed with water vapour and/or air.

– 10 – IEC TS 62282-7-2:2014  IEC 2014
3.1.7
cathode gas
gas which is supplied to the inlet of the cathode of a single cell/stack assembly unit
Note 1 to entry: Oxygen and nitrogen are its main components.
3.1.8
current collector
conductive material in a fuel cell that collects electrons from the anode side or conducts
electrons to the cathode side
3.1.9
stable state
condition of a cell/stack assembly unit at which the unit is stable enough for any controlling
parameter and the output voltage or output current of the unit to remain withidn its tolerance
range of variation
3.1.10
theoretical current
current when the supplied anode gas or cathode gas is completely consumed in
electrochemical reactions divided by the number of cells in a series connection
3.1.11
effective fuel utilization
ratio of actual output current of the cell/stack assembly unit to the theoretical current
Note 1 to entry: Causes for less-than-optimal currents include losses due to electronic conduction within the
cell/stack assembly, gas leaks and anode gas pass-through.
Note 2 to entry: Calculation method of effective fuel utilization is given in Annex B.
3.1.12
effective oxygen utilization
ratio of actual output current of the cell/stack assembly unit to the theoretical current
Note 1 to entry: Calculation method of effective oxygen utilization is given in Annex C.
3.1.13
maximum effective fuel utilization
highest effective fuel utilization that the unit can operate at, without causing unacceptable
degradation
Note 1 to entry: The acceptable degradation rate is usually obtained from the developer.
3.1.14
minimum cell/stack assembly unit voltage
lowest cell/stack assembly unit voltage specified by the manufacturer
3.1.15
open circuit voltage
OCV
voltage across the terminals of a fuel cell with cathode and anode gases present and in the
absence of external current flow
Note 1 to entry: Also known as no-load voltage.
3.1.16
power density
ratio of the power to the active electrode area of a cell/stack assembly unit

Note 1 to entry: Power density is calculated from the voltage multiplied by the current density (P = V × J, where J
d
is current density).
3.1.17
total impedance
frequency-dependent losses due to ohmic, activation, diffusion, and concentration effects
3.1.18
total resistance
real part of low-frequency limit of total impedance which is the same as the slope of tangent to
I-V curve
3.1.19
stoichiometric ratio
ratio between the number of moles of reactant gas flowing per unit time to that needed by the
electrochemical reaction
Note 1 to entry: The terms, “stoichiometric ratio” and “reactant gas utilization,” are related. The reciprocal of the
fraction of the gas utilized is the stoichiometric ratio.
3.2 Symbols
Table 1 shows the symbols and units that are used in this technical specification.
Table 1 – Symbols
Symbol Definition Unit
a Error limit specified from specification of instrument **
f Flow rate of anode gas l/min (NTP)

a
f Flow rate of cathode gas l/min (NTP)

c
f Flow rate of fuel component j in anode gas
l/min (NTP)
j
I Current A
J Current density A/cm
n Number of transferred electrons
N Number of cells in a series connection
p Absolute pressure of anode gas kPa

a
p Absolute pressure of cathode gas kPa

c
P Output power W
P Output power density W/cm
d
t Time s, min, h
T Cell/stack assembly unit operating temperature °C
op
u Combined standard uncertainty for instruments **
I
**
u Standard uncertainty for instrument i
I,i
U Effective fuel utilization %
f
U Effective oxygen utilization %
o2
U Extended instrument uncertainty **
I
V
Voltage V
x Normalized mole fraction of component i mol %
i
x * Non-normalized mole fraction of component i mol %

i
%
ξ Hydrocarbon conversion rate for hydrocarbon component j
j
** Denotes where the unit varies depending on the specification.

– 12 – IEC TS 62282-7-2:2014  IEC 2014
4 General safety conditions
An operating fuel cell uses oxidizing and combustible gases. Typically, these gases are stored
in high-pressure containers. The fuel cell itself may be operated at pressures greater than
atmospheric pressure. Those who carry out cell/stack assembly unit testing shall be trained
and experienced in the operation of test systems and specifically in safety procedures
involving electrical equipment and reactive, compressed gases.
The test personnel are responsible for obtaining and following all applicable safety codes and
generally accepted engineering practices related to their test system, facility, fuels (with
particular attention to compressed gases), and exhaust products.
Materials which are compatible with the use and storage of the reactant gases shall be used
during testing. Local safety codes and standards for working with hydrogen, hydrocarbons
and carbon monoxide should be followed.
In summary, safely operating a test station requires appropriate technical training and
experience as well as safety facilities and equipment, all of which are outside the scope of
this technical specification.
5 Cell/stack assembly unit
A cell/stack assembly unit includes a cell or stack, gas supply, current leads, and such other
peripherals as required for power generation tests. It shall be provided with single or multiple
measuring points for temperature and voltage, and one set of current lead points, all to be
specified by the manufacturer.
As shown in Annex A, the boundary of a cell/stack assembly unit goes through the anode gas
supply port, cathode gas supply port, temperature measuring point, current lead points,
voltage measuring points and mechanical load application points.
Some cell/stack assembly units may have no exhaust port for the anode gas or cathode gas
because of the configuration of the cells. In such cases, the gas flow field pattern and its
material shall be determined by the method recommended by the manufacturer. The load
application method shall be also based on the recommendation of the manufacturer. The
maximum operating temperature from the manufacturer shall not be exceeded.
If the components of a cell/stack assembly unit other than a cell/stack are not specified by the
manufacturer, the following shall be described in the test report, as a minimum:
a) materials and geometry of the peripheral components to be used for testing;
b) flow patterns and directions of anode and cathode gases;
c) locations of temperature measurement, mechanical load application, voltage measurement
and current leads;
d) magnitude of the mechanical load;
e) configuration of assembly unit and its assembling method.

6 Testing system
6.1 Subsystems in testing system
6.1.1 General
As shown in Figure 1, a testing system consists of an anode gas control subsystem, cathode
gas control subsystem, cell/stack assembly unit temperature control subsystem, output power
control subsystem, measurement and data acquisition subsystem and safety subsystem. It
may also include a mechanical load control subsystem, anode gas and cathode gas pressure
control subsystem and/or a test system control subsystem that controls the whole testing
system, if needed.
Measurement and data
Mechanical load control
Output power control
acquisition subsystem
subsystem
subsystem
Anode gas control Anode gas pressure
subsystem control subsystem
Cell/stack assembly unit
Cathode gas pressure
Cathode gas control
control subsystem
subsystem
Test system control Cell/stack assembly unit
Safety subsystem
subsystem
temperature control
subsystem
IEC  1403/14
Figure 1 – Testing system
6.1.2 Anode gas control subsystem
The anode gas control subsystem controls the flow rate, composition and temperature of
anode gas supplied to the cell/stack assembly unit. If the gas composition is to be maintained
throughout the piping, then attention shall be paid to the materials, temperature, inner
diameter and length of the piping. Where necessary, the piping shall be heated and/or
thermally insulated in order to prevent condensation of water vapour.
Care should be taken to avoid other phenomena, such as carbon deposits, and the
evaporation and transport of undesired materials in the gas streams, such as chromium.
6.1.3 Cathode gas control subsystem
The cathode gas control subsystem controls the flow rate, composition and temperature of the
cathode gas supplied to the cell/stack assembly unit.
Care should be taken to avoid other phenomena, such as the evaporation and transport of
undesired materials in the gas streams, such as chromium.
6.1.4 Cell/stack assembly unit temperature control subsystem
The cell/stack assembly unit temperature control subsystem controls, at least, the electric
furnace or the unit temperature. It maintains the operating temperature. The electric furnace
shall be selected to maintain the temperature distribution within the prescribed tolerance level.

– 14 – IEC TS 62282-7-2:2014  IEC 2014
Efforts should be made to minimize the electrical noise that the electric furnace generates
while providing heat. It is assumed that all the test systems will use an electrical furnace for
simplicity and safety reasons.
6.1.5 Output power control subsystem
The output power control subsystem controls the output current or output voltage of the
cell/stack assembly unit.
6.1.6 Measurement and data acquisition subsystem
The measurement and data acquisition subsystem acquires and records the cell/stack
assembly unit temperature, current, voltage, anode gas flow rate, cathode gas flow rate, and
optionally, environmental conditions (ambient temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric
pressure) by the prescribed method. If necessary, it also acquires and records the mechanical
load applied to the cell; the temperature, composition and pressure of cathode gas and the
anode gas; the flow rate, composition, temperature and pressure of anode and cathode
exhaust gases; and cell/stack assembly unit impedance data, etc., by the prescribed method.
6.1.7 Safety subsystem
The safety subsystem functions as a detector and alarm system for malfunctioning of the test
system based on predefined parameters and criteria. If it detects a serious fault, then it shall
automatically establish a safe state in the test system. The anode should be purged with an
inert gas, such as nitrogen, which could also contain hydrogen at concentrations below the
lower flammability limit.
6.1.8 Mechanical load control subsystem
The optional, mechanical load control subsystem regulates the mechanical load that is applied
to increase the contact among components in the cell/stack assembly unit. The subsystem
should be stro
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