Abstract
A two-dimensional along the channel micro-scale isothermal model of a SOFC is developed and validated against experimental data and other simulated results from literature. The steady state behaviour of the cell was determined by numerical solution of the combined transport, continuity and kinetic equations. An important characteristic of the model is the consideration of the triple phase boundary as a distinct layer. The model is capable of predicting the cell performance including polarisation behaviour and power output. The model is used to study the effect of the support structure, geometric parameters and the effect of operating conditions on cell performance. Several parametric studies include the effect of operating conditions and geometric parameters on cell performance with a view to optimising the cell. The simulation results showed that the anode supported SOFC displayed the best performance with the activation and ohmic overpotentials being responsible for most of the voltage losses in the cell.
Highlights
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising candidates for energy conversion systems because of their huge potentials for power generation in stationary, portable and transport applications and their high energy conversion efficiency when compared to other fuel cells [1] [2] [3] [4]
This study investigates the electrochemical performance of an isothermal planar SOFC model by characterising the overpotentials
The solution obtained from the numerical implementation of the two-dimensional, along the channel, microscale, steady state, isothermal SOFC model is presented
Summary
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising candidates for energy conversion systems because of their huge potentials for power generation in stationary, portable and transport applications and their high energy conversion efficiency when compared to other fuel cells [1] [2] [3] [4]. Ighodaro et al 98 pared to conventional power generation devices [5] [6] [7]. In order to overcome this limitation and achieve stability and economy, recent efforts are geared towards intermediate temperature SOFCs (IT-SOFCs) [9] [10]; these may be achieved by either reducing the thickness of the electrolyte which reduces its ohmic resistance [11] [12] [13], developing new electrodes with improved catalytic activities which reduce overpotential [14] [15] [16] [17] or improving the electrode microstructure which increases the electrochemical reaction area [3] [18] [19]
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