Carbon deposition and electrochemical reaction of anode for SOFC in methane containing atmosphere

To investigate carbon deposition on Ni anode for solid oxide fuel cells, in situ microscopic observation was performed, Carbon deposition and oxidation was successfully observed by in situ Raman microscopy combined with electrochemical setup. It is generally believed that carbon deposition is determined by steam / carbon ratio. But in reality, in the case of methane-steam system, even when steam/carbon (S/C) ratio exceeds carbon deposition limit, carbon is not deposited, unless methane is completely equilibrated with steam. Not only S/C but the extent of equilibrium in gas mixtures should be taken into account to control the carbon deposition.