Modeling Approach of a New Anode Concept for Gradual Internal Reforming

Natural gas appears to be a fuel of great interest for SOFC systems. To avoid cooling effect, Gradual Internal Reforming (GIR) can be used. GIR is based on local coupling between steam reforming and hydrogen oxidation. The steam required for the reforming reaction is obtained from the steam generated by the hydrogen oxidation. It was demonstrated in previous studies that the cooling effect disappeared. However, with GIR, the risk of carbon formation is greater. To cope with carbon formation a new cell configuration is studied. This configuration combines a catalyst layer with a cermet anode, allowing GIR without coking. This study proposes simulations, using the CFD RC software package, of the behavior of a tubular SOFC using GIR. A thermodynamic study based on the partial pressure distributions in the cell is carried out to investigate the occurrence of carbon formation. The simulations indicate that, the risks of carbon deposition were strongly reduced if the new configuration is used