Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Performance Available to Purchase

Based on models of a porous electrode, a more accurate lattice Boltzmann model for simulating the performance of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is proposed. The fuel is pure Carbon monoxide and the flow in the SOFC is steady. Results show good agreement between simulated and measured data. The accuracy of concentration overpotential prediction is crucial for low reactant concentrations. The addition of a small amount of air to the fuel yields fully stable performance without measurable carbon deposits detected on the catalyst layer or the fuel cell. Cell performance increases with the temperature. As a first test of the model, a benchmark problem regarding the performance of an internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell (IR-SOFC) is investigated. When the catalyst activity decreases, the rate of methane conversion decreases near the reactor entrance and thus the temperature profile is smoother. This phenomenon is termed methane slippage.