A one-dimensional transient model of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell stack is proposed in this paper. The model developed in the virtual test bed (VTB) computational environment is capable of dynamic system simulation. This model is based on the electrochemical and thermal modeling, accounting for the voltage losses and temperature dynamics. The single cell is discretized using a finite volume method where all the governing equations are solved for each finite volume. The temperature, the current density, and the gas concentration distribution along the axial direction of the cell are presented. The dynamic behavior of electrical characteristics and temperature under the variable load is simulated and analyzed. For easy implementation in the VTB platform, the nonlinear governing equations are discretized in resistive companion form. The developed model is validated with experimental results and can be used for dynamic performance evaluation and design optimization of the cell under variable operating conditions and geometric condition.
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June 2008
Research Papers
Thermoelectric Model of a Tubular SOFC for Dynamic Simulation
Wei Jiang
Wei Jiang received the B.Sc. degree in Thermal Engineering from the Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, in 1997, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia, in 2004 and 2006, respectively. He worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Shanghai Turbine Co., Ltd. from 1997 to 2000 for steam turbine design. Since 2001, he has been a research assistant in the Mechanical Engineering Department of USC. He has authored several published papers on SOFC and system-level thermal modeling and simulation. His research is mainly concerned with thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid, fuel cell, thermal systems modeling, and simulation.
Wei Jiang
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of South Carolina
, Columbia, SC 29208
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Ruixian Fang
Ruixian Fang received the B.Sc. degrees in engineering from the Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China, in 1997 and the M.E. degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA, in 2007. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA. His research is mainly concerned with thermal device modeling, computer analysis and simulation of refrigeration and power generation thermal systems, simulation of electrical cabinet device cooling, and system-level thermal management of large scale cooling system.
Ruixian Fang
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of South Carolina
, Columbia, SC 29208
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Roger A. Dougal
Roger A. Dougal is the Thomas Gregory Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. He joined USC in 1983 immediately after completing his Ph.D. at the Texas Tech University. Professor Dougal is currently a Director of the Virtual Test Bed project, a multidisciplinary, multiuniversity effort to develop a comprehensive design, simulation, and virtual prototyping environment for advanced power sources and systems, integrating power electronics, electromechanics, electrochemistry, and controls into a common test bed. In addition to his interests in modeling and simulation, Professor Dougal’s expertise also includes power electronics, physical electronics, and electrochemical power sources.
Roger A. Dougal
Department of Electrical Engineering,
University of South Carolina
, Columbia, SC 29208
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Jamil A. Khan
Jamil Khan is a Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. He is involved in research and instruction in the area of thermal engineering associated with emerging technologies. He received a B.Sc. from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Clemson University, in South Carolina. His research interests include system-level modeling and simulations related to thermal management, experimental heat transfer and flow visualizations with nanofluids, transport phenomenon during manufacturing processes, heat transfer and fluid flow with phase change, and microchannel heat transfer.
Jamil A. Khan
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of South Carolina
, Columbia, SC 29208
Search for other works by this author on:
Wei Jiang
Wei Jiang received the B.Sc. degree in Thermal Engineering from the Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, in 1997, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia, in 2004 and 2006, respectively. He worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Shanghai Turbine Co., Ltd. from 1997 to 2000 for steam turbine design. Since 2001, he has been a research assistant in the Mechanical Engineering Department of USC. He has authored several published papers on SOFC and system-level thermal modeling and simulation. His research is mainly concerned with thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid, fuel cell, thermal systems modeling, and simulation.
Ruixian Fang
Ruixian Fang received the B.Sc. degrees in engineering from the Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China, in 1997 and the M.E. degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA, in 2007. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA. His research is mainly concerned with thermal device modeling, computer analysis and simulation of refrigeration and power generation thermal systems, simulation of electrical cabinet device cooling, and system-level thermal management of large scale cooling system.
Roger A. Dougal
Roger A. Dougal is the Thomas Gregory Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. He joined USC in 1983 immediately after completing his Ph.D. at the Texas Tech University. Professor Dougal is currently a Director of the Virtual Test Bed project, a multidisciplinary, multiuniversity effort to develop a comprehensive design, simulation, and virtual prototyping environment for advanced power sources and systems, integrating power electronics, electromechanics, electrochemistry, and controls into a common test bed. In addition to his interests in modeling and simulation, Professor Dougal’s expertise also includes power electronics, physical electronics, and electrochemical power sources.
Jamil A. Khan
Jamil Khan is a Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. He is involved in research and instruction in the area of thermal engineering associated with emerging technologies. He received a B.Sc. from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Clemson University, in South Carolina. His research interests include system-level modeling and simulations related to thermal management, experimental heat transfer and flow visualizations with nanofluids, transport phenomenon during manufacturing processes, heat transfer and fluid flow with phase change, and microchannel heat transfer.
J. Energy Resour. Technol. Jun 2008, 130(2): 022601 (10 pages)
Published Online: May 16, 2008
Article history
Received:
April 14, 2006
Revised:
January 30, 2007
Published:
May 16, 2008
