Simulations of dimensional effects in solid oxide fuel cells

Two dimensional simulation models for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) including gas channels have been studied using the commercial software FEMLAB which has a multi-physics approach. The models include full coupling between the mass balances at the anode and cathode, the balance of the ionic current carried by the oxide ion, and a balance of electronic current with an assumption of isothermal conditions. Three cross-section areas of 1cm x 1cm, 3cm x 3cm, and 5 cm x 5cm were chosen to study the dimensional effect. An additional 1cm x 1cm channel with rectangular protrusions was also studied to investigate geometry effects. Simulation results show expected result of increases in fuel cell properties like convective flux, electric potential with increasing cell flow area. The smaller fuel cell surface is altered by adding rectangular protrusions to increase surface area. The presence of rectangular protrusions also show increased current density production compared to a wall without protrusions. It is expected that the proposed simulations can be used to significantly help the design and operation of a SOFC in practical applications.