Control‐Oriented Modeling of Non‐Adiabatic Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stacks

Abstract

The paper presents a lumped zero dimensional (0D) model for the simulation of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack thermal dynamics. Particularly, a dedicated sub-model is developed, via a mixed gray/black-box modeling approach, to suitably treat the heat exchange mechanisms between the stack and its surrounding environment. Such a sub-model was embedded into an existing 0D simulator and then tested via comparison with temperature sensor measurements. The hardware sensor is indeed particularly critical, due to its location and the typically high operating temperature characterizing SOFC. Therefore, suitable experimental transients were performed at Topsoe fuel cell test-bench, thus allowing verifying the accuracy and generalization granted by the 0D model in reproducing stack outlet temperature trajectories, both in steady-state and dynamic operations. As a result, the modeling approach here proposed is proven effective either to replace the hardware temperature sensor at stack outlet or for redundancy purposes to improve reliability. Moreover, the 0D model can be deployed for offline design of SOFC systems' control strategies, as well as for real-time diagnostic and control applications