There is an increasing interest in the use of Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (µ-SOFC) for a broad spectrum of applications with power demands ranging from a few watts to several hundred watts. µ-SOFC’s possess inherently favourable characteristics over alternate configurations such as high thermo-mechanical stability, high volumetric power density and rapid start-up times. The use of computational modelling at the design level is essential for minimising cost and maximising productivity, giving critical insight into the complex phenomena occurring during SOFC operation and their interrelationships.

To date, models have been limited by oversimplified geometries, often failing to account for cathode air supply complexities, gas distribution within pores and radiative heating effects^[1-3]. In this study, a three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of an anode, electrolyte, cathode, current collectors, fuel inlet/outlet and furnace temperature effects is considered. The model has been validated with a mirroring experimental setup, varying fuel compositions, operating temperature and interconnect configuration. COMSOL Multiphysics is used to simulate the physics, describing the distribution of temperature, current density, electrical potential, pressure and gas concentrations throughout the cell. Results show good correlation with experimental data and the model is reliable for prediction of fuel cell performance as a function of operating conditions within these set parameters.

References

[1] D. Cui, B.Tu, M.Cheng, Journal of Power Sources, 297 (2015) 419-426

[2] M.Lockett, M.J.H. Simmons, K.Kendall, 8^th Grove Fuel Cell Symposium, Elsevier Science Bv London, (2003)

[3] D.Cui, L.Liu, M.Cheng, Journal of Power Sources, 174 (2007) 246-254