Three-dimensional Modeling of Anode-supported Planar SOFC With Direct Internal Reforming

This paper presents a three-dimensional model of an anode-supported planar SOFC with corrugated bipolar plates serving as gas channels and current collector above the active area of the cell, based on the direct internal reforming reaction of methane and the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen. A co-flow system with gas mixture of methane, water vapor and a small amount of hydrogen as anode gas and air as cathode gas fed at an inlet temperature of 973K was modeled at a single cell unit level. A simple equation for the cell resistance with measured values for the quasi ohmic resistance is used for the calculation of the current density. The modeling results show the current density distribution and temperature profiles in the cell and gas concentrations profiles along the length of the cell channel. Furthermore, the temperature gradient inside the cell was investigated