Abstract
In this study, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed for an anode-supported planar SOFC from the Chinese Academy of Science Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering (NIMTE). The simulation results of the developed model are in good agreement with the experimental data obtained under the same conditions. With the simulation results, the distribution of temperature, flow velocity and the gas concentrations through the cell components and gas channels is presented and discussed. Potential and current density distributions in the cell and overall fuel utilization are also presented. It is also found that the temperature gradients exist along the length of the cell, and the maximum value of the temperature for the cross-flow is at the outlet region of the cell. The distribution of the current density is uneven, and the maximum current density is located at the interfaces between the channels, ribs and the electrodes, the maximum current density result in a large over-potential and heat source in the electrodes, which is harmful to the overall performance and working lifespan of the fuel cells. A new type of flow structure should be developed to make the current flow be more evenly distributed and promote most of the TPB areas to take part in the electrochemical reactions.
Highlights
Fuel cells can directly convert the free energy of a chemical reactant into electrical energy and heat, which is different from a conventional thermal power plant, where the fuel is oxidized in a combustion process combined with a conversion process, that takes place after the combustion [1]
The aim of the study presented in this paper is to investigate the transport phenomena inside an single SOFC fed with hydrogen as the fuel and to evaluate its overall performance
It should be mentioned that the source terms can be expressed using the volumetric production/consumption rate of species due to the electrochemical reactions occurring at the triple-phase boundary (TPB)
Summary
Fuel cells can directly convert the free energy of a chemical reactant into electrical energy and heat, which is different from a conventional thermal power plant, where the fuel is oxidized in a combustion process combined with a conversion process (thermal-mechanical-electrical energy), that takes place after the combustion [1]. If pure hydrogen is used, no air or environmental pollution occurs at all, because the output from the fuel cells is electricity, heat and water. Depending on the specific configuration and design, a variety of physical phenomena are present in an SOFC, e.g., multi-component gas flow, energy and mass transfer of chemical species in composite domains, even at the micro- and nano-scale levels. The aim of the study presented in this paper is to investigate the transport phenomena inside an single SOFC fed with hydrogen as the fuel and to evaluate its overall performance. For this purpose a three-dimensional CFD model has been developed for an anode-supported planar SOFC. The electrochemical reactions, over-potentials and related electric parameters throughout the cell are calculated using the FLUENT add-on SOFC module
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