A parametric study of high temperature solid oxide fuel cells to optimize the performance

Abstract

Fuel Cells seem to be a potential solution of our future energy sources. Three dimensional, planar configuration of single solid oxide fuel cell has been modeled in this paper using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5.0.292 software. The performance of the cell under various operating conditions is studied. The flow of gases is considered to be governed by the Brinkman Equations which represent the combined effect of the Navier Stokes equations and Darcy’s Law. From the simulation, the polarization and power characteristics of the fuel cell have been plotted and studied to have optimum output from the fuel cell. The temperature variations, pressure variations, electrolyte conductivity variations, effect of inert gas on the performance and the variation of the exchange current density have been elaboratively studied and the characteristics curves are plotted from the simulation results. The operating conditions were set to approach the real world situation of the various applications of the Solid Oxide Fuel cell. The simulation results help to identify the critical parameters for the optimization of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.