Numerical study on performance enhancement of a solid oxide fuel cell using gas flow field with obstacles and metal foam

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of gas flow field design on the performance of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). A three-dimensional numerical model of the cell and channel is developed to simulate the use of metal foam as flow distributor, along with the presence of obstacles in the gas flow channels. The model is calibrated using experimental data and applied to simulate four relevant cases combining metal foam and obstacles, compared to a straight channel structure. The results demonstrate the positive impact of flow-field modifications on the distribution of species along the cell's active layers. It is found that, even though the pressure drops are affected, reactant gases are more uniformly distributed across the active electrode of the cell, reducing mass transport losses and enhancing current density. Simulations performed at a cell voltage of 0.7 V indicate that incorporating a metal foam as flow distributor increases the maximum current density by 26 % compared to the conventional straight flow design. Furthermore, combining metal foam with obstacles results in the best performance, achieving a 34 % increase in the maximum current density.

Keywords

• Solid oxide fuel cell
• CFD simulation
• Obstacles
• Metal foam
• Current density distribution