This paper reports a new electrochemical performance study performed on a planar SOFC cell. This study consists of a 2D model developed using a commercial software, namely Comsol Multiphysics. The model includes fluid dynamics, electrochemistry, electrical conduction, and diffusion physics. This model was built using the actual button cell testing geometry and using experimental data for validation purposes. The objective of this study is to understand the effects of the testing setup used on the cell performance, and to recommend an improved design or geometry where the cell performance is independent of any flow maldistribution in both the air and fuel side of the SOFC cell. The air and fuel flow rates are studied to determine the effects on the cell performance. The effects of electrode porosities are studied together with the fuel and air flow rates. The distance from the SOFC cell to the discharge fuel feed tube and air chamber geometry are studied as well. The modeling results indicate that the SOFC electrochemical performance becomes independent of any flow maldistribution at relatively high flow rates for both fuel and air. Reduced electrode porosities play a role in the cell performance, and larger flow rates are required in order to achieve a cell performance independent of flow rates. The cell performance is also affected by the distance from the SOFC cell to the fuel discharge tube and the air chamber geometry. The behavior seen in the cell performance can be explained by a non-uniform mole fraction of reactants near the electrode surface.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2011 9th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology collocated with ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability
August 7–10, 2011
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Advanced Energy Systems Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5469-3
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Performance Study of a Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Using a COMSOL Based 2D Model and Actual Cell Testing Geometry and Operating Conditions
Gianfranco DiGiuseppe,
Gianfranco DiGiuseppe
Kettering University, Flint, MI
Search for other works by this author on:
Yeshwanth Javare Gowda,
Yeshwanth Javare Gowda
Kettering University, Flint, MI
Search for other works by this author on:
Naveen Kumar Honnagondanahalli
Naveen Kumar Honnagondanahalli
Kettering University, Flint, MI
Search for other works by this author on:
Gianfranco DiGiuseppe
Kettering University, Flint, MI
Yeshwanth Javare Gowda
Kettering University, Flint, MI
Naveen Kumar Honnagondanahalli
Kettering University, Flint, MI
Paper No:
FuelCell2011-54104, pp. 337-354; 18 pages
Published Online:
March 22, 2012
Citation
DiGiuseppe, G, Gowda, YJ, & Honnagondanahalli, NK. "Performance Study of a Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Using a COMSOL Based 2D Model and Actual Cell Testing Geometry and Operating Conditions." Proceedings of the ASME 2011 9th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology collocated with ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability. ASME 2011 9th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Washington, DC, USA. August 7–10, 2011. pp. 337-354. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FuelCell2011-54104
Download citation file:
22
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
A Two-Dimensional Modeling Study of a Planar SOFC Using Actual Cell Testing Geometry and Operating Conditions
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (February,2012)
HeteroFoaMs: Electrode Modeling in Nanostructured Heterogeneous Materials for Energy Systems
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (February,2012)
Modeling Studies of Tubular SOFCs for Transportation Markets
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (April,2013)
Related Chapters
Scope
Consensus on Operating Practices for the Sampling and Monitoring of Feedwater and Boiler Water Chemistry in Modern Industrial Boilers (CRTD-81)
List of Commercial Codes
Introduction to Finite Element, Boundary Element, and Meshless Methods: With Applications to Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow
A Simple Carburetor
Case Studies in Fluid Mechanics with Sensitivities to Governing Variables