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SOFC Cathode Design Optimization using the Finite Element Method

Andersson, Martin LU ; Li, Tingshuai and Sundén, Bengt LU (2014) 11th European SOFC & SOE Forum
Abstract
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising as an energy producing device, which at this stage of development will require extensive analysis and benefit from numerical modeling at different time- and length scales. A 3D model is developed based on the finite element method (FEM), using COMSOL Multiphysics, of a single SOFC operating at an intermediate temperature range. Ion, electron, heat, gas-phase species and momentum, transport equations are implemented and coupled to the kinetics of the electrochemical and internal reforming reactions.



High current density spots were identified in our previous work, at positions where the electron transport distance is short and the oxygen concentration is high. The electron... (More)
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising as an energy producing device, which at this stage of development will require extensive analysis and benefit from numerical modeling at different time- and length scales. A 3D model is developed based on the finite element method (FEM), using COMSOL Multiphysics, of a single SOFC operating at an intermediate temperature range. Ion, electron, heat, gas-phase species and momentum, transport equations are implemented and coupled to the kinetics of the electrochemical and internal reforming reactions.



High current density spots were identified in our previous work, at positions where the electron transport distance is short and the oxygen concentration is high. The electron transport especially within the cathode is found to be limiting for the electrochemical reactions at positions far from the channel walls (interconnect). New cathode designs are proposed, for the cathode/air channel interface, to be able to reduce the maximum electron current density (decreasing the ohmic polarization due to electron transport), i.e., to increase the fuel utilization, with constant inlet conditions, compared to a standard approach. The two cases with a modified cathode structure presents 1 % higher average ion current density as well as 1 % higher fuel utilization, keeping the inlet conditions similar. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
keywords
SOFC, Modeling, FEM, Porous media, Cathode Design Optimization
pages
8 pages
conference name
11th European SOFC & SOE Forum
conference dates
2014-07-01
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
6f17c2fa-db9d-4834-a19b-3d73bd940677 (old id 4522903)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 13:23:06
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:13:36
@misc{6f17c2fa-db9d-4834-a19b-3d73bd940677,
  abstract     = {{Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising as an energy producing device, which at this stage of development will require extensive analysis and benefit from numerical modeling at different time- and length scales. A 3D model is developed based on the finite element method (FEM), using COMSOL Multiphysics, of a single SOFC operating at an intermediate temperature range. Ion, electron, heat, gas-phase species and momentum, transport equations are implemented and coupled to the kinetics of the electrochemical and internal reforming reactions. <br/><br>
<br/><br>
High current density spots were identified in our previous work, at positions where the electron transport distance is short and the oxygen concentration is high. The electron transport especially within the cathode is found to be limiting for the electrochemical reactions at positions far from the channel walls (interconnect). New cathode designs are proposed, for the cathode/air channel interface, to be able to reduce the maximum electron current density (decreasing the ohmic polarization due to electron transport), i.e., to increase the fuel utilization, with constant inlet conditions, compared to a standard approach. The two cases with a modified cathode structure presents 1 % higher average ion current density as well as 1 % higher fuel utilization, keeping the inlet conditions similar.}},
  author       = {{Andersson, Martin and Li, Tingshuai and Sundén, Bengt}},
  keywords     = {{SOFC; Modeling; FEM; Porous media; Cathode Design Optimization}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  title        = {{SOFC Cathode Design Optimization using the Finite Element Method}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}