Development of SOFC Modeling and Analysis

Depending on specific configuration and design, a variety of physical phenomena is present in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). These processes include multi-component gas flow, energy and mass transfer of chemical species in composite domains and sites. Due to the electrochemical reactions, generation and consumption of chemical species together with electric current production are involved at the SOFC active sites. Furthermore, internal reforming reactions of hydrocarbon fuels are strongly coupled with the electrochemical reactions and other transport processes to make the physical phenomena more complicated. For modeling and analysis at the unit-cell and component level, typically CFD-based approaches might be appropriate. On the stack and system levels, methods like lumped parameter analysis and overall energy/mass balances are more suitable. This paper describes development of various kinds of methods for modeling and analysis, and how these can be used as well as their applicability and limitations