Engineering topics

Recknagle, Kurtis P

Publications and source records attributed to Recknagle, Kurtis P.

8 records

DOE OSTI2011

Modeling the Electrochemistry of an SOFC through the Electrodes and Electrolyte

This paper describes a distributed electrochemistry model of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrodes and electrolyte. The distributed electrochemistry (DEC) model solves the transport, reactions, and electric potential through the thickness of the SOFC electrodes. The DEC model allows the local conditions within the electrodes to be studied and allows for a better understanding of how electrochemical and microstructural parameters affect the electrodes. In this paper the governing equations and implementation of the DEC model are presented along with several case studies which are used to investigate the sensitivity of the cathode to the microstructural and electrochemical parameters of the model and to explore methods of improving the electrochemical performance of the SOFC cathode.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2011

Numerical Modeling of the Distributed Electrochemistry and Performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

A cell-level distributed electrochemistry (DEC) modeling tool has been developed to enable prediction of solid oxide fuel cell performance by considering the coupled and spatially varying multi-physics that occur within the tri-layer. The approach calculates the distributed electrochemistry within the electrodes, which includes the charge transfer and electric potential fields, ion transport throughout the tri-layer, and gas distributions within the composite and porous electrodes. The thickness of the electrochemically active regions within the electrodes is calculated along with the distributions of charge transfer. The DEC modeling tool can examine the overall SOFC performance based on electrode microstructural parameters, such as particle size, pore size, porosity factor, electrolyte and electrode phase volume fractions, and triple-phase-boundary length. Recent developments in electrode fabrication methods have lead to increased interest in using graded and nano-structured electrodes to improve the electrochemical performance of SOFCs. This paper demonstrates how the DEC modeling tool can be used to help design novel electrode microstructures by optimizing a graded anode for high electrochemical performance.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2011

A Distributed Electrochemistry Modeling Tool for Simulating SOFC Performance and Degradation

This report presents a distributed electrochemistry (DEC) model capable of investigating the electrochemistry and local conditions with the SOFC MEA based on the local microstructure and multi-physics. The DEC model can calculate the global current-voltage (I-V) performance of the cell as determined by the spatially varying local conditions through the thickness of the electrodes and electrolyte. The simulation tool is able to investigate the electrochemical performance based on characteristics of the electrode microstructure, such as particle size, pore size, electrolyte and electrode phase volume fractions, and triple-phase-boundary length. It can also investigate performance as affected by fuel and oxidant gas flow distributions and other environmental/experimental conditions such as temperature and fuel gas composition. The long-term objective for the DEC modeling tool is to investigate factors that cause electrode degradation and the decay of SOFC performance which decrease longevity.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2011

Modeling of On-Cell Reforming Reaction for Planar SOFC Stacks

Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) stack is known to suffer thermal problem from high stack temperature during operation to generate high current. On-Cell Reforming (OCR) phenomenon is often used to reduce stack temperature by an endothermic reaction of steam-methane reforming process. RIST conducted single-cell experiment to validate modeling tool to simulate OCR performance including temperature measurement. 2D modeling is used to check reforming rate during OCR using temperature measurement data, and 3D modeling is used to check overall thermal performance including furnace boundary conditions.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2011

A Quasi-Two-Dimensional Electrochemistry Modeling Tool for Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stacks

A two-dimensional numerical model is presented for the efficient computation of the steady-state current density, species concentration, and temperature distributions in planar solid oxide fuel cell stacks. The model reduction techniques, engineering approximations, and numerical procedures used to simulate the stack physics while maintaining adequate computational speed are discussed. The results of the model for benchmark cases with and without on-cell methane reformation are presented with comparisons to results from other research described in the literature. The capabilities, performance, and scalability of the model for the study of large multi-cell stacks are then demonstrated.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2011

Pore Scale Modeling of the Reactive Transport of Chromium in the Cathode of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

We present a pore scale model of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode. Volatile chromium species are known to migrate from the current collector of the SOFC into the cathode where over time they decrease the voltage output of the fuel cell. A pore scale model is used to investigate the reactive transport of chromium species in the cathode and to study the driving forces of chromium poisoning. A multi-scale modeling approach is proposed which uses a cell level model of the cathode, air channel and current collector to determine the boundary conditions for a pore scale model of a section of the cathode. The pore scale model uses a discrete representation of the cathode to explicitly model the surface reactions of oxygen and chromium with a cathode material. The pore scale model is used to study the reaction mechanisms of chromium by considering the effects of reaction rates, diffusion coefficients, chromium vaporization, and oxygen consumption on chromium’s deposition in the cathode. The study shows that chromium poisoning is most significantly affected by the chromium reaction rates in the cathode and that the reaction rates are a function of the local current density in the cathode.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

DOE OSTI2010

Modeling of Electrochemistry and Steam-Methane Reforming Performance for Simulating Pressurized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stacks

This paper examines the electrochemical and on-cell steam-methane reforming performance of the solid oxide fuel cell when subjected to pressurization. Pressurized operation boosts the Nernst potential and decreases the activation polarization, both of which serve to increase cell voltage and power while lowering the heat load and operating temperature. A model considering the activation polarization in both the fuel and air electrodes was adopted to address this effect on the electrochemical performance. Both the increase in methane conversion kinetics and the increase in equilibrium methane concentration, which are competing effects of pressurization on steam-methane reforming, are considered in a new rate expression. The models were then applied in simulations to preview how the distributions of reforming rate, temperature, and current density can potentially be changed within stacks operating at elevated pressure. A generic 10 cm counter-flow stack model was created and used for the simulations of pressurized operation. The predictions showed improved thermal and electrical performance with increased operating pressure. The average and maximum cell temperatures decreased by 3% while the cell voltage increased by 9% as the operating pressure was increased from 1 to 10 atmospheres.

electrochemistry↗

DOE OSTI2010

Analyses of Large Coal-Based SOFCs for High Power Stack Block Development

This report summarizes the numerical modeling and analytical efforts for SOFC stack development performed for the coal-based SOFC program. The stack modeling activities began in 2004, but this report focuses on the most relevant results obtained since August 2008. This includes the latter half of Phase-I and all of Phase-II activities under technical guidance of VPS and FCE. The models developed to predict the thermal-flow-electrochemical behaviors and thermal-mechanical responses of generic planar stacks and towers are described. The effects of cell geometry, fuel gas composition, on-cell reforming, operating conditions, cell performance, seal leak, voltage degradation, boundary conditions, and stack height are studied. The modeling activities to evaluate and achieve technical targets for large stack blocks are described, and results from the latest thermal-fluid-electrochemical and structural models are summarized. Modeling results for stack modifications such as scale-up and component thickness reduction to realize cost reduction are presented. Supporting modeling activities in the areas of cell fabrication and loss of contact are also described.

electrochemistry↗