Method for operating an SOFC for the combined production of electricity and nitric oxide

A method for operating a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) for the combined production of electricity and a nitric oxide (NO) containing gas stream, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an SOFC comprising an anodic side comprising a solid gas-permeable anode, a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a cathodic side comprising a solid gas-permeable cathode and a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and a fully dense solid electrolyte, separating the cathodic side from the anodic side;
• b) introducing an oxygen-containing gas in the inlet of the cathodic side of the SOFC;
• c) introducing an ammonia-containing gas stream in the inlet of the anodic side of the SOFC;
• d) collecting nitric oxide at the outlet of the anodic side, wherein nitric oxide represents at least 10% by weight of the NO containing gas stream collected at the outlet of the anodic side;
• and
• e) collecting a current flowing between the anodic side and the cathodic side;
• wherein the method is performed at a temperature ranging from 500 to 800° C., and wherein the anode comprises a composition A1-XA′XB1-YB′YO3-δ, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of La, Y, Sm, Pr, Nd and Gd, A′ is selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba, B and B′ are each independently selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, V and mixtures thereof, X ranges from 0.05 to 0.6, Y ranges from 0 to 1 and 0 ranges from 0.025 to 0.3, and wherein the cathode comprises a composition A1-XA′XB1-YB′YO3-δ, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of La, Y, Sm, Pr, Nd and Gd, A′ is selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba, B and B′ are each independently selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, V and mixtures thereof, X ranges from 0.05 to 0.6, Y ranges from 0 to 1 and δ ranges from 0.025 to 0.3.