Multiphysics Coupling Simulation and Parameter Study of Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.

Zheng Dang,Guang Xi,Jinyan Ma,Xin Shen,Zhaoyi Jiang

doi:10.3389/fchem.2020.609338

Abstract

In this paper, a numerical model of gas flow, heat transfer, mass transfer and electrochemical reaction multi-physics field coupling of a planar SOFC is established and solved. According to the calculation results, the distribution of velocity, temperature and concentration inside the SOFC cell is analyzed. The influence of cathode inlet flow rate, porosity, rib width and other parameters on the performance of SOFC is also discussed. The results show that within a certain range, increasing the cathode inlet flow rate can significantly increase the average current density of the cell. Increasing the porosity of the electrode can improve the gas diffusion of the porous electrode, thereby increasing the rate of the electrochemical reaction. Increasing the width of the ribs will result in a significant decrease in cell performance. Therefore, the rib width should be reduced as much as possible within the allowable range to optimize the working performance of the cell.

Highlights

As a new energy technology, anode supported planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has attracted much attention in recent years (Kong et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2018a; Wang et al, 2018b)
Li et al (2018) proposed a three-dimensional model that couples mass transfer, electron transport, and electrochemical reactions based on a solid oxide fuel cell with porous electrodes and gas channels, the results show that the current density distribution is significantly related to the gas composition distribution
The results show that the calculation results of the planar SOFC model established in this paper are in good agreement with the experimental data given in the literature, and the maximum error is less than 10%

Summary

INTRODUCTION

As a new energy technology, anode supported planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has attracted much attention in recent years (Kong et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2018a; Wang et al, 2018b). Yuan et al (Andersson et al, 2012) comprehensively considered the physical processes such as heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid flow, charge transport, internal reforming reaction of fuel and electrochemical reaction, and coupled multiple physical fields to build a numerical model of SOFC single channel at medium temperature. Lee et al (2017) presented a three-dimensional model of a reversible solid oxide fuel cell, and the effects of different geometric structures and operating parameters (electrode support layer thickness; interconnector rib size; fuel gas composition) on current-potential characteristics and round-trip efficiency were studied. Li et al (2018) proposed a three-dimensional model that couples mass transfer, electron transport, and electrochemical reactions based on a solid oxide fuel cell with porous electrodes and gas channels, the results show that the current density distribution is significantly related to the gas composition distribution.

AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

Findings

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT