Planar SOFC system modelling and simulation including a 3D stack module. (30th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amiri, Amirpiran; Vijay, Periasamy; Tadé, Moses O.; Ahmed, Khaliq; Ingram, Gordon D.; Pareek, Vishnu; Utikar, Ranjeet
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 41:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 2919
• Page End: 2930
• Publication Date: 2016-01-30
• Subjects: SOFC -- System -- Stack -- Balance of plant -- Aspen Plus; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.12.076
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system consists of a fuel cell stack with its auxiliary components. Modelling an entire SOFC system can be simplified by employing standard process flowsheeting software. However, no in-built SOFC module exists within any of the commercial flowsheet simulators. In Amiri et al. (Comput. Chem. Eng., 2015, 78:10–23), a rigorous SOFC module was developed to fill this gap. That work outlined a multi-scale approach to SOFC modelling and presented analyses at compartment, channel and cell scales. The current work extends the approach to stack and system scales. Two case studies were conducted on a simulated multilayer, planar SOFC stack with its balance of plant (BoP) components. Firstly, the effect of flow maldistribution in the stack manifold on the SOFC's internal variables was examined. Secondly, the interaction between the stack and the BoP was investigated through the effect of recycling depleted fuel. The results showed that anode gas recycling could be used for managing the gradients within the stack, while also improving fuel utilisation and water management. Highlights: SOFC system is simulated through a detailed user-defined electrochemical reactor. Manifold maldistribution is assessed in process flowsheeting environment. Role-playing internal gradients are modelled for a multilayer stack. Potential impact of anode gas recycling on cell and stack internal gradients and efficiencies is analysed.