Evaluating performance of a single high temperature solid oxide fuel cell with parametric simulation over its dimensions

Abstract

The versatility of fuel cells makes them the future of energy sources on Earth. In this paper, a three dimensional solid oxide fuel cell in planar configuration, with hydrogen fuel and air as oxidant, has been modeled using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The gas flow in the gas channels is modeled by Navier Stokes equations while that through the electrodes is studied by applying the Brinkman equations. The model is simulated for the variation in the sizes of the gas diffusion channel including length, height and width of the channel. The polarization and power characteristics of the cell are plotted and studied over the variations. The cell performance is evaluated considering counter-flow and co-flow of the gases in the channels, separately. A clear impact of the change in the sizes of the channel is observed on the performance of the cell. A comparison of the counter-flow and co- flow patterns has also been made.