SOFC modeling considering electrochemical reactions at the TPBs

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Summary, in English

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that directly transform chemical energy into electricity, which are promising for future energy systems, because they are energy efficient. The cell performance depends strongly on the material characteristics, the operating conditions and the chemical reactions that occur at active sites. The steam reforming and electrochemical reaction rates depend on temperature, material structure, catalytic activity, degradation and the partial pressures of the different species components. In this study the governing equations of heat-, mass-, ionic-, electronic- and momentum transport are solved together with kinetic expressions for electrochemical reactions and internal reforming reactions of hydrocarbon fuels. It is concluded that the greater part of the polarization losses occur within the anode and also that the active area available for electrochemical reactions is larger on the cathode side, compared to the anode side. A large active area means that current density gradient is steeper.

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