Mathematical analysis of planar solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract In this work, a mathematical transport model for a planar solid oxide fuel cell has been developed and the analysis has been performed by the use of an in-house program which can help developers to understand the effects of various parameters on the performance of the fuel cell. In the model, electrochemical kinetics, gas dynamics and transport of energy and species are coupled. The model predicts polarization curve, velocity and temperature fields, species concentration and current distribution in the cell depending on fuel cell temperatures and electrolyte materials used in the components, such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and gadolinia-doped ceria (CGO). SOFC operating temperatures at 500, 600, 800, and 1000 ∘ C are considered and the modified Nernst equation is used to obtain a reversible cell voltage. It is shown that the anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with YSZ electrolyte can be used to obtain a high power density in the higher current density range than the YSZ electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cells when they are operated at 800 ∘ C . Performance comparisons between two electrolyte materials, YSZ and CGO are made. The YSZ-electrolyte solid oxide fuel cell in this work shows higher power density than the CGO-electrolyte solid oxide fuel cell at the higher temperatures than 750 ∘ C .

[1]  Jon G. Pharoah,et al.  Modeling radiation heat transfer with participating media in solid oxide fuel cells , 2006 .

[2]  Chao-Yang Wang,et al.  Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells , 2003 .

[3]  Kevin Kendall,et al.  Chapter 8 – Cell and Stack Designs , 2003 .

[4]  Weeratunge Malalasekera,et al.  An introduction to computational fluid dynamics - the finite volume method , 2007 .

[5]  Andrew Dicks,et al.  Catalytic aspects of the steam reforming of hydrocarbons in internal reforming fuel cells , 1997 .

[6]  I. Dincer,et al.  Mathematical modeling of planar solid oxide fuel cells , 2006 .

[7]  G. Dagan.  Flow and transport in porous formations , 1989 .

[8]  N. Brandon,et al.  Modelling of cells, stacks and systems based around metal-supported planar IT-SOFC cells with CGO electrolytes operating at 500–600 °C , 2005 .

[9]  V. Antonucci,et al.  Micro-modelling of solid oxide fuel cell electrodes , 1998 .

[10]  Serguei N. Lvov,et al.  Direct oxidation of jet fuels and Pennsylvania crude oil in a solid oxide fuel cell , 2004 .

[11]  Bengt Sundén,et al.  Transport phenomena in fuel cells , 2005, Hydrogen, Batteries and Fuel Cells.

[12]  A computational fluid dynamics model of a solid oxide fuel cell , 2005 .

[13]  Andrei G. Fedorov,et al.  Radiation heat transfer in SOFC materials and components , 2005 .

[14]  R. O’Hayre,et al.  Fuel Cell Fundamentals , 2005 .

[15]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Mathematical modeling of transport phenomena in porous SOFC anodes , 2007 .

[16]  Xianguo Li.  Principles of fuel cells , 2005 .

[17]  Bengt Sundén,et al.  Analysis of Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Transport Processes and , 2005 .

[18]  V. Kharton,et al.  Transport properties of solid oxide electrolyte ceramics: a brief review , 2004 .

[19]  James Larminie,et al.  Fuel Cell Systems Explained , 2000 .

[20]  Andrei G. Fedorov,et al.  Spectral Radiative Heat Transfer Analysis of the Planar SOFC , 2005 .

[21]  A. Dicks.  Advances in catalysts for internal reforming in high temperature fuel cells , 1998 .

[22]  Stefano Ubertini,et al.  Modeling solid oxide fuel cell operation: Approaches, techniques and results , 2006 .

[23]  Paola Costamagna,et al.  Modeling of Solid Oxide Heat Exchanger Integrated Stacks and Simulation at High Fuel Utilization , 1998 .

[24]  M. Fowler,et al.  Experimental and modeling study of solid oxide fuel cell operating with syngas fuel , 2006 .

[25]  Scott A. Barnett,et al.  Use of a catalyst layer for propane partial oxidation in solid oxide fuel cells , 2005 .

[26]  K. Kendall,et al.  High temperature solid oxide fuel cells : fundamentals, design and applicatons , 2003 .

[27]  C.A.J. Appelo,et al.  FLOW AND TRANSPORT , 2004 .

[28]  Nigel M. Sammes,et al.  SOFC mathematic model for systems simulations. Part one: from a micro-detailed to macro-black-box model , 2005 .

[29]  Kyle J. Daun,et al.  Radiation heat transfer in planar SOFC electrolytes , 2006 .

[30]  S. Kakaç,et al.  A review of numerical modeling of solid oxide fuel cells , 2007 .

[31]  Brian C. H. Steele,et al.  Development of solid oxide fuel cells based on a Ce(Gd)O2−x electrolyte film for intermediate temperature operation , 1997 .

[32]  S. Beale.  Numerical models for planar solid oxide fuel cells , 2005 .

[33]  M. Fowler,et al.  Performance comparison of Fick’s, dusty-gas and Stefan–Maxwell models to predict the concentration overpotential of a SOFC anode , 2003 .

[34]  I. Dincer,et al.  Thermodynamic modeling of direct internal reforming solid oxide fuel cells operating with syngas , 2007 .

[35]  Yann Bultel,et al.  Modeling of a SOFC fuelled by methane: From direct internal reforming to gradual internal reforming , 2007 .

[36]  S. Chan,et al.  Polarization effects in electrolyte/electrode-supported solid oxide fuel cells , 2002 .

[37]  James Larminie,et al.  Fuel Cell Systems Explained: Larminie/Fuel Cell Systems Explained , 2003 .

[38]  G. Parrour,et al.  Gradual internal reforming of methane: A demonstration , 2006 .