Abstract
To identify critical parameters upon variable operational temperatures in a planar SOFC, an experimentally agreeable model was established. The significance of temperature effect on the performance of SOFC components was investigated, and the effect of activation energy during the development of intermediate electrode materials was evaluated. It is found the ionic conductivity of electrolytes is identified to be unavoidably concerned in the development of the intermediate-temperature SOFC. The drop of the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte decreases the overall current density 63% and 80% at temperatures reducing to 700 °C and 650 °C from 800 °C. However, there exists a critical value on the defined ratio between the electric resistance of the electrolyte in the overall internal resistance of SOFC, above which the further increase in the ionic conductivity would not significantly improve the performance. The lower the operational temperature, the higher critical ratio of the electrical resistance in the overall internal resistance of the cell. The minimal decrease in the activation energy during the development of intermediate electrode materials can significantly enhance the overall performance. Considering the development trend toward the intermediate temperature SOFC, advanced electrode material with the decreased activation energy should be primarily focused. The result provides a guidance reference for developing SOFC with the operational temperature toward the intermediate temperature.
Highlights
Fuel cell (FC) converts storable fossil fuels into instantly usable electricity in a higher efficiency and with CO2 capture ready [1], and is attractive due to less energy losses during its energy conversion process [2]
The improvement in the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte should be significant in the enhancement of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance, just as that shown in Section 3.3 when the regular yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte was switched with the GDC electrolyte
This study established a three-dimensional SOFC model based on the Comsol software package, focusing on the identification of critical parameters upon variable operational temperatures in a planar
Summary
Fuel cell (FC) converts storable fossil fuels into instantly usable electricity in a higher efficiency and with CO2 capture ready [1], and is attractive due to less energy losses during its energy conversion process [2]. Higher operational temperatures make start-up and shutdown longer, less applicable in portable power and transportation markets, and less flexible in practical situations These key technical issues addressed the critical demands on Energies 2020, 13, 6404; doi:10.3390/en13236404 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies. All aspects addressed on the highest efficiency and durability of the cathode-electrolyte-anode combination at the lowest possible temperatures This inspired the current considerable progress in searching and making proper material candidates for a shift of the higher operational temperature (800 ◦ C–850 ◦ C) down to an intermediate temperature (such as 600 ◦ C–650 ◦ C) [1]. It served as a simulation platform to explore detailed reactant profiles on the multispecies mass transportations in gas channels and porous electrodes, ionic conductions, and electrochemical reactions, and further their impacts on the overall performance of SOFC. The study sketched views on the significance of switching between transportations and reactions of reactants in SOFCs, as well as assisting the material development in a precise way
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