Solid oxide fuel cell reactor analysis and optimisation through a novel multi-scale modelling strategy

Abstract

The simulation of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that incorporates a detailed user-developed model was performed within the commercial flowsheet simulator Aspen Plus. It allows modification of the SOFC’s governing equations, as well as the configuration of the cell’s fuel-air flow pattern at the flowsheet level. Initially, the dynamic behaviour of a single compartment of a cell was examined with a 0D model, which became the building block for more complex SOFC configurations. Secondly, a sensitivity analysis was performed at the channel (1D) scale for different flow patterns. Thirdly, the effect of fuel and air flow rates on the predominant distributed variables of a cell was tested on a 2D assembly. Finally, an optimisation study was carried out on the 2D cell, leading to a robust, optimal air distribution profile that minimises the internal temperature gradient. This work forms the foundation of future stack and system scale studies.

@article{amiri2015solid,
  title         = {Solid oxide fuel cell reactor analysis
                  and optimisation through a novel multi-scale modelling strategy},
  author        = {Amiri, Amirpiran and Vijay, Periasamy and Tad\'{e}, Moses O and Ahmed,
                  Khaliq and Ingram, Gordon D and Pareek, Vishnu and Utikar, Ranjeet},
  year          = 2015,
  journal       = {Computers \& Chemical Engineering},
  publisher     = {Pergamon},
  volume        = 78,
  pages         = {10--23},
  doi           = {10.1016/j.compchemeng.2015.04.006}
}