Performance of a biohydrogen solid oxide fuel cell

For solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), biohydrogen is an ideal fuel, which introduces a clean renewable energy source to a highly efficient energy conversion technology with minimum complications. The performance of a SOFC working with biohydrogen, and the effects of fuel composition, working temperature, load, and air utilization are less well understood. In this study a comprehensive numerical model was employed to investigate the biohydrogen fueled SOFC in different working conditions. Direct electrochemical oxidation of H-2 and CO and water gas shift reaction (WGSR) were considered in the model. An experimental set up was built to verify the simulation results. Results from the numerical model were validated against experimental polarization curves and cell temperature measurements. The results showed how different parameters affect the performance of a biohydrogen SOFC and how different working conditions can be selected to meet certain criteria. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.