SOFC mathematic model for systems simulations. Part one: from a micro-detailed to macro-black-box model

Advanced Power Generation Technologies: Fuel Cells

“…For instance, one should be aware of the possible problems that can arise when local equations are considered as global. Bove et al (2005) highlighted such problem in their paper. They described the main problem of using 0-D approach for modeling was the negligence of variation in the fuel, air, and exhaust gas compositions through the fuel cell.…”

“…One of the inherent characteristics of Aspen Plus ® is its sequential modular approach to modeling. That means each component, either built-in or user-defined models, is treated independently and calculation results for each block are considered the input for the next block (Bove et al, 2005). The hybrid cycle model incorporated a 0-D macro level SOFC model.…”

On Modeling of Heat and Mass Transfer and Other Transport Phenomena in Fuel Cells

“…In fact, overall discharge characteristics, such as outlet gas composition and temperature, electric current and power generation, are required to assess the stack performance. This can be achieved by an easy and reliable model in applying the local equations as "global" (Bove et al (2005)). …”

“…An SOFC electrochemical black-box model was developed in (Bove et al (2005)), based on a straight-forward simulation, where the effect of different fuel utilizations were evaluated. If the current provided by the SOFC stack is set as an input variable, different fuel utilization means different fuel flow rate to the stack, which is quantified using the coefficient of fuel and oxygen utilization:…”

“…The SOFC stack performance, in terms of V-I and P-I, are compared specifying inlet or outlet gas compositions and a mean value between the previous two. It should be mentioned that the open circuit voltage is expressed by the Nernst equation corrected by the electron conduction and the cross-over of the cathodic gas into the anode based on a semi-empirical method (Bove et al (2005)). …”