Polarization characteristics and fuel utilization in anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell using three-dimensional simulation

A three-dimensional numerical simulation for anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), which is characterized by good electrical conductivity, has been carried out. Performance results by simulation are in good agreement with those by experiments, reported in [7]. Effect of various process conditions such as operating temperature, inlet velocity of fuel, and flow direction of inlet gases on the cell performance and fuel utilization has been further scrutinized. Polarization curve rises with increasing temperature of preheated gases and chamber, resulting from the incremented activity of catalysts within electrode. An effective way to reduce the temperature variation in the single cell with increasing current density has been sought, considering the temperature-dependent thermal expansion of materials. It has also been found that the fuel utilization is enhanced by increasing the cell length and operating temperature and lowering the inlet velocity of fuel.