Numerical Calculation for Fuel Depletion State of SOFCs

Abstract

Fuel depletion states under cell operations of SOFCs were simulated. Three dimensional calculations for the cell operations were carried out using a commercial computational fluid dynamics code. Using a simple geometry model of an anode-supported cell, effects of a gas diffusion in a porous anode, a current density, and a fuel utilization on the fuel depletion state were studied. A local fuel depletion resulting in a large concentration overpotential and thus a steep drop of the electromotive force was figured out and discussed. The study made clear that the planar SOFC is robust against the fuel depletion state.