Multiphysics Field Distribution Characteristics within the One-Cell Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack with Typical Interdigitated Flow Channels

Yu Xu,Wei Yang,Daifen Chen,Anton Kukolin

doi:10.3390/app9061190

Abstract

Generally, the manufacturing technology of fuel cell units is considered to satisfy the current commercialization requirements. However, achieving a high-performance and durable stack design is still an obstacle in its commercialization. The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack is considered to have performance characteristics that are distinct from the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks. Within the SOFC stack, vapor is produced on the anode side instead of the cathode side and high flow resistance within the fuel flow path is recommended. In this paper, a 3D multiphysics model for a one-cell SOFC stack with the interdigitated channels for fuel flow path and conventional paralleled line-type rib channels for air flow path is firstly developed to predict the multiphysics distribution details. The model consists of all the stack components and couples well the momentum, species, and energy conservation and the quasi-electrochemical equations. Through the developed model, we can get the working details within those SOFC stacks with the above interdigitated flow channel features, such as the fuel and air flow feeding qualities over the electrode surface, hydrogen and oxygen concentration distributions within the porous electrodes, temperature gradient distribution characteristics, and so on. The simulated result shows that the multiphysics field distribution characteristics within the SOFC and PEMFC stacks with interdigitated flow channels feature could be very different. The SOFC stack using the paralleled line-type rib channels for air flow path and adopting the interdigitated flow channels for the fuel flow path can be expected to have good collaborative performances in the multiphysics field. This design would have good potential application after being experimentally confirmed.

Highlights

As one of the most potential energy conversion devices, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has attracted attention due to its advantages of low pollution and noise and high energy conversion efficiency [1,2]
The simulated result shows that the multiphysics field distribution characteristics within the SOFC and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks with interdigitated flow channels feature could be very different
We can get that using the interdigitated design for rib channels of the fuel flow path is good for managing the H2 and vapor flows

Summary

Introduction

As one of the most potential energy conversion devices, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has attracted attention due to its advantages of low pollution and noise and high energy conversion efficiency [1,2]. A SOFC stack with an interdigitated design for the fuel flow path and conventional paralleled line-type rib channels for the air flow path may be expected to have good performance. The difference in the multiphysics field distribution characteristics between the SOFC and PEMFC stacks will be found while the interdigitated rib channels are used. Whether the proposed SOFC stack—which adopts interdigitated rib channels for fuel flow and conventional paralleled line-type rib channels for air flow—can support good collaborative performances among the multiphysics fields will be checked. Most of the conclusions would be very useful for us to further understand the working details within the planar SOFC stacks with the above features and perform further parameter optimizations of the SOFC stacks in the near future

Model Structure and Mesh

Governing Equations

Results and Discussion

Conclusions