Analytical solutions for extended surface electrochemical fin models

Abstract

Exact solutions were obtained for variations in the potential and the current for three axisymmetric geometries, with positive, negative and zero curvatures, which simulate current transport in fuel cell electrodes. These solutions can be used to assess the influence of geometry on performance for three dimensional electrode microstructures. A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrode was selected as a test case for these studies. From the exact solutions, simulations of current flow and potential drop for one dimensional networks in SOFC electrodes were performed. Numerical tests demonstrated that surfaces with positive curvature have greater current flow for the same potential drop due to higher current losses through the lateral surface area. The study also showed that zero curvature solutions will be sufficiently accurate for positive or negative curvature geometries for moderate radius changes, but differ significantly from positive or negative curvature solutions for more extreme radius changes. Analytical solutions indicate fundamental differences in geometry and its influence on current flow. Based on the results of the simulations, an approximate solution, based on one non-dimensional parameter, was developed for estimating the effects of extreme changes in cross-section area.