A one-dimensional model of chemical and mass transport phenomena in the porous anode of a solid-oxide fuel cell, in which there is internal reforming of methane, is presented. Macroscopically averaged porous electrode theory is used to model the mass transfer that occurs in the anode. Linear kinetics at a constant temperature are used to model the reforming and shift reactions. Correlations based on the Damkohler number are created to relate anode structural parameters and thickness to a nondimensional electrochemical conversion rate and cell voltage. It is shown how these can be applied in order to assist the design of an anode.
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer many potential benefits as an energy conversion device. This paper addresses experimental validation of a numerical SOFC model that has been developed. Results are compared at steady state operation for temperatures ranging from 1073 K to 1173 K and for H2 gas concentrations fuel supplies of 10–90% with a balance of N2. The results agree well with a maximum of 13.3% difference seen between the numerical and experimental results, which is within the limit of the experimental uncertainties and the material constants that are measured, with most comparisons well below this level. It is concluded that since the model is very sensitive to material properties and temperature that for the best results they should be as specific as possible to the experiment. These specific properties were demonstrated in this paper and a validation of a full fuel cell model, with a concentration on the anode, was presented.
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