Performance comparison of planar, tubular and Delta8 solid oxide fuel cells using a generalized finite volume model

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2008-09, Vol.184 (1), p.143-164
• Main Authors: Nagel, Florian P., Schildhauer, Tilman J., Biollaz, Serge M.A., Wokaun, Alexander
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Delta8; Design engineering; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Finite volume; Flexibility; Fuel cells; Mass transfer; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Planar; SOFC; Solid oxide fuel cells; Tubes; Tubular
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2008.05.046

A generalized, finite volume-based SOFC model is presented which includes charge, mass and heat transport as well as a Langmuir–Hinshelwood type applied kinetic model for steam reforming reactions. The model development aimed at fast applicability to various cell geometries, short calculation times to allow for system analysis calculations and high fuel flexibility. In the first part of the paper, the model approach and assumptions are presented in detail. In the second part, the generalized model is applied to a planar, the standard tubular and the triangular tube cell geometry. The validation against experimental and benchmark test data is stressed to assure comparability of the model results for the three investigated cell designs. In the last part, the three cell designs are compared, highlighting the differences with respect to internal heat- and mass transfer and the impact on the electrochemical performance. It is shown that the performance of the triangular tube cell is almost double that of the standard tubular cell designs. The planar cell is outperformed by the triangular tube cell as well.