Numerical and experimental analysis of the effects of tar components on single planar SOFC under high fuel utilization

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 2023-05, Vol.449, p.142234, Article 142234
• Main Authors: Li, Yixing, Grimm, Fabian, Karl, Jürgen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CFD; Fuel utilization; Reforming; Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC); Tar
• ISSN: 0013-4686
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2023.142234

•Validated CFD model for SOFC single cell fueled with toluene.•Identification of local risk area for ni re-oxidation.•Toluene reforming helps mitigating the fuel starvation condition.•Gas channel position alters the location of re-oxidation risk area. One of the main challenges and obstacles for the application of SOFCs with wood gas is the degradation of Nickel anode caused by heavier hydrocarbons from the gasification process. The unclear conversion process on the anode and the fluctuant content of tars in wood gas will cause problems like the excess of critical fuel cell utilization and thus the oxidation of Nickel anode. This work focuses on the experimental and numerical analysis of tar conversion on the single SOFC under different conditions. A three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model for an electrolyte-supported single cell was developed using the commercial CFD code FLUENT. The conversion kinetics of tar is validated by experimental results and implemented into the model. With this model, local distributions of Nernst voltage across the anode area are demonstrated. Areas, where an oxidation of Nickel is to be feared, are identified. Both experimental and simulative results have proved the positive effect of toluene reforming on preventing Ni from re-oxidation.