Effect of operation parameters on performance of tubular solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com).A simulation model is developed to analyze steady state and transient operation of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The performance of the tubular SOFC is compared when the operation parameters such as inlet fuel temperature, inlet oxidant temperature, and inlet oxidant flow rate are changed, respectively. The model includes both electrochemical model and thermal model. The electrochemical model includes the Nernst potential, ohmic polarization, activation polarization, and concentration polarization. The thermal model includes the heat transfer by conduction, convention, and radiation. An analysis is carried out to investigate the effects of the different operation parameters on the hot spot, solid temperature gradient at the steady state, and the response time at the transient state. Numerical results show that the performance of tubular SOFC due to the change of the different operation parameters is different at the steady state. For the transient response such as the same step increase in cell current density, the response time required for the new steady state is different as different operation parameters are changed.

Transport, sensitivity, and dimensional optimization studies of a tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

“…The impact of the oxidant flowrate on the cell performance is reported in the work of Jia et al [5]. In their work, the cell performance decreases slightly as O 2 flow is increased.…”

“…The influence of temperature on the cell performance can be seen in the work of Hussain et al [1]; Jia et al [5]; Nagata et al [11]; Ni et al [3]. Ni et al [3] have shown the performance to be 0.2 A cm −2 , 1 A cm −2 , and 3 A cm −2 , respectively, at 600 • C, 800 • C, and 1000 • C, respectively at 0.5 V. A significant gain in the current density at a given voltage is expected as the temperature is increased mainly because of the increase in the conductivity of the electrolyte and the reduction of the activation overpotential.…”

“…However such studies are minimal in the existing literature [1][2][3]. A few studies can be found that have discussed the transport profiles only in the main flow direction [4][5][6]. However, significant gradients may develop in other directions too.…”

Modeling of Electrochemistry and Heat/Mass Transfer in a Tubular Solid Oxide Steam Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production

“…6b). Unlike SOSE, the temperature distribution of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), which proceeds with the reverse reactions of a SOSE, is normally non-uniform [29,30]. The electrochemical reaction of formation of steam from hydrogen and oxygen is exothermic in nature.…”

Electrochemical performance and microstructure characterization of nickel yttrium‐stabilized zirconia anode

“…However, the current SOFCs designs encounters problematic issues, manufacturing expense, performance degradation over prolonged use, heat retention, limited operating temperature ranges, and materials compatibility. [8][9][10] In an SOFC, the state-of-the-art electrolyte is yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), a polycrystalline ceramic that allows oxide ions (O 2À ) to conduct through the electrolyte from the cathode to the anode compartment. 11,12 The most-frequently used anode materials in SOFC are porous metal and ceramic composite composed of Ni and nickel and yttrium-stabilized Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to J. Liu at this current address: MSC 161, 700 University Blvd., Kingsville, TX; e-mail: kfjll00@tamuk.edu.…”