Managing SOFC Off-Gas at Scale
A Catalytic Solution for Helium Technology
Helium Technology s.r.l., a subsidiary of Marposs, required a specialized catalytic off-gas burner for managing Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) off-gases, capable of high-pressure operation (1–30 barg) and temperatures up to 950 °C. The system needed to handle complex anodic and cathodic gas compositions while maintaining high efficiency and strict regulatory compliance. Helium Technology turned to Catator to develop this solution, with the aim of scaling from a pilot plant to a commercial-scale system within five years, working alongside ne of the leading energy companies in Italy.
A Custom-Engineered Approach
Catator proposed a custom-engineered CataLite® Burner featuring their proprietary CataLite® Coating technology.
Key features of the solution include:
- High-Pressure Design: A robust unit specifically engineered for 1–30 barg operation.
- Thermal Management: Integration of a gas mixer to dilute high-temperature mixtures (670–850 °C) with inert gas to optimize catalyst performance.
- Compact Integration: A streamlined design (ca. 300 mm length) utilizing advanced catalytic meshes.
Ready for Scale-Up
Through this collaboration, Helium Technology receives a fully PED-certified, factory-tested unit ready for integration into their pilot plant. This development project gives Helium Technology the technical foundation to scale toward several hundred kW capacity, supported by Catator’s expertise in hydrogen catalysis and fuel processing.