Three-Dimensional Numerical Study of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Performance with Converging Diverging Flow Field

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Mechanical engineering. Azad University. Lahijan. Iran

2 Mechanical Engineering/Lahijan Azad University/Iran/Lahijan

3 Mechanical Engineering/ Lahijan Azad University/Iran/ Lahijan

Abstract

The main important roles of bipolar plates in solid oxide fuel cells are the uniform distribution of reactants to the reaction sites, the collection of current, and the separation of each cell from another. Therefore, the performance of a solid oxide fuel cell is highly dependent on air and fuel flow channel design. In order to investigate how the geometry of air and fuel flow channels affects performance, current, and power density, simulation results are discussed to evaluate the performance of two types of fuel cells with direct ducts and converging-diverging ducts. In this research, a three-dimensional model of an anode-supported hydrocarbon fueled solid oxide fuel cell is presented. The results show that the pressure difference between the converging diverging channels produces a transverse flow in the channels and ribs which is in favor of better distribution of the reactants in the fuel cell with the converging diverging channels. This transverse velocity causes a 6% increase in fuel consumption in the cell with converging diverging channels than the cell with direct channels at a voltage of 0.7V, but due to the reduction of the reaction area of this cell compared to the usual cell, the current density is 10% lower. At voltages above 0.55V, fuel cells with converging diverging channels have a higher fuel consumption than fuel cells with direct channels due to the presence of transverse flows.

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References

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Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 54, Issue 3
June 2022
Pages 589-614

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