Journal of Computational & Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering (JCARME)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22061/jcarme.2022.8347.2124

Abstract

Carbon deposition has a serious effect on the failure mechanism of solid oxide fuel cells. A comprehensive investigation based on a two-dimensional model of a solid oxide fuel cell with the detailed electrochemical model is presented to study the mechanism and effects of carbon deposition and unsteady state porosity variation. Studies of this kind can be an aid to identify the SOFC optimal working conditions and provide an approximate fuel cell lifetime. It has been revealed that, due to carbon deposition, the porosity coefficient of the fuel cell decreases. Consequently, a reduction in the amount of fuel consumption along the fuel cell and the chemical and electrochemical reaction rates are resulted which can be clearly seen in the off-gases molar ratio. The percentage of output fuel changes in the timeframe is useful information for optimizing CHP systems including fuel cells. The percentage of the output water vapor, which usually increases compared to the input, decreases by 17% at the end of the working period. Also, unreacted methane in the output of the fuel cell increased by 12%; in other words, it is wasted. The other consequence of carbon deposition reduced electrochemical and chemical reaction rates and the reduction of temperature difference along the cell. The study shows that after 145 working days, the temperature difference along the cell varies from 117 °C for the starting time to 7 °C. Also, by reducing the current density, the cell output power density decreases by 72% after 145 working days.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

dor

20.1001.1.22287922.2023.12.2.9.4

Main Subjects

Energy Science and Technology

References

[1] M. Andersson, J. Yuan and B. Sundén, “Line approach and simulation for anode–supported SOFC”, ASME 7^th international “fuel cell science, Engineering and Technology Conference”, California, USA, pp.539-549, (2009).

[2] Y. Patcharavorachot, A. Arpornwichanop and A. Chuachuebsuk, “Electrochemical study of a planar solid oxide fuel cell: Role of support structures”, J. Power Sources, Vol. 177, No. 2, pp. 254-261, (2008).

[3] M. Borji, K. Atashkari, S. Ghorbani and N. Nariman-Zadeh, “Model-based evaluation of an integrated autothermal biomass gasification and solid oxide fuel cell combined heat and power system”, J. Mech. Eng. Sci, Vol. 231, No. 4, pp. 31251–3140, (2015).

[4] N. L. Panwar, R. Kothari and V. V. Tyagi, “Thermo chemical conversion of biomass e eco-friendly energy routes”, Renew Sustain Energy Rev, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp.1801-1816, (2012).

[5] R. Toonssen, S. Sollai, PV. Aravind, N. Woudstra and AHM. Verkooijen, “Alternative system designs of biomass gasification SOFC/GT hybrid systems”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 36, No. 16, pp. 10414-25, (2011).

[6] H. Xu and Z. Dang, “Numerical investigation of coupled mass transport and electrochemical reactions in porous SOFC anode microstructure”, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, Vol. 109, pp. 1252–126, (2017).

[7] M. Borji, K. Atashkari, S. Ghorbani and N. Nariman-Zadeh, “Parametric analysis and Pareto optimization of an integrated auto thermal biomass gasification, solid oxide fuel cell and micro gas turbine CHP system”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 40, No. 41, pp. 14202-14223, (2015).

[8] M. C. Williams, J. P. Strakey, W. A. Surdoval and L. C. Wilson, “Solid oxide fuel cell technology development in the U.S”, Solid State Ionics, Vol. 177, No. 19-25, pp. 2039-2044, (2006).

[9] I. Khazaee and A. Rava, “Numerical simulation of the performance of solid oxide fuel cell with different flow channel geometries”, Energy, Vol. 119, pp. 235-244, (2017).

[10] J. Alinejad and J. A. Esfahani, “Numerical Stabilization of Three-Dimensional Turbulent Natural Convection Around Isothermal Cylinder”, J. Thermophys Heat Transfer, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 94-102, (2016).

[11] S.M. Madani, J. Alinejad, Y. Rostamiyan and K. Fallah, “Numerical study of geometric parameters effects on the suspended solid particles in the oil transmission pipelines”, J. Mech. Eng. Sci., Vol. 236, No. 8, pp. 3960-3973. (2021).

[12] M. Fardadi, D.F. McLarty and F. Jabbari, “Investigation of thermal control for different SOFC flow geometries”, Appl. Energy, Vol. 178, pp. 43–55, (2016).

[13] M. Borji, K. Atashkari, N. Nariman-zadeh and M. Masoumpour, “Modeling, parametric analysis and optimization of an anode-supported planar solid oxide fuel cell”, J. Mech. Eng. Sci, Vol. 229, No. 17, pp. 1–16, (2015).

[14] T. Meng, D. Cui, Y. Ji, M. Cheng, B. Tu and Z. Lan, ”Optimization and efficiency analysis of methanol SOFC-PEMFC hybrid system”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 47, No. 64, pp. 27690-27702, (2022).

[15] M. Andersson, J. Yuan and B. Sundén, “Review on modeling development for multiscale chemical reactions coupled transport phenomena in solid oxide fuel cells”, Appl. Energy, Vol. 87, NO. 5, pp. 1461–1476, (2010).

[16] O. Razbani and M. Assadi, “Artificial neural network model of a short stack solid oxide fuel cell based on experimental data”, J. Power Sources Adv, Vol. 246, pp. 581-586, (2014).

[17] M. Tafazoli1, M. Shakeri, M. Riazat and M. Baniassadi, “A new approach to microstructure optimization of solid oxide fuel cell electrodes”, Iranian Journal of Hydrogen & Fuel Cell, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 93-102, (2017).

[18] J. Kupecki, “Modelling of Physical, Chemical, and Material Properties of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells”, J. Chem, Vol. 2015, (2015).

[19] K. Tseronis, I.S. Fragkopoulos, I. Bonis and C. Theodoropoulos, “Detailed Multi-dimensional Modeling of Direct Internal Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cells”, Fuel Cells, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 294–312, (2016).

[20] S. McIntosh and R.J. Gorte, “Direct Hydrocarbon Solid Oxide Fuel Cells”. Chem. Rev, Vol. 104, No. 10, PP. 4845-4865, (2004).

[21] T. Takeguchi, Y. Kani, T. Yano, R. Kikuchi, K. Eguchi, K. Tsujimoto, Y. Uchida, A. Ueno, K. Omoshiki and M. Aizawa, “Study on steam reforming of CH₄ and C₂ hydrocarbons and carbon deposition on Ni-YSZ cermets”, J. Power Sources, Vol. 112, No. 2, pp. 588-595, (2002).

[22] T. Kim, G. Liu, M. Boaro, S. I. Lee, J. M. Vohs, R.J. Gorte, O. H. Al. Madhib and B. O. Dabbousi, “A Study of Carbon Formation and Prevention in Hydrocarbon-Fueled SOFC”, J. Power Sources, Vol. 155, No. 2, pp. 231-238, (2006).

[23] A. Mostafaeipour, M. Qolipour, H. Goudarzi, M. Jahangiri, A. M. Golmohammadi, M. Rezaei, A. Goli, L. Sadeghikhorami, A. Sedeh and S. R. Khalifeh, “Implementation of Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (Anfis) for Performance Prediction of Fuel Cell Parameters”, J. Renewable Energy Environ, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 7-15, (2019).

[24] M. Yan, M. Zeng, Q. Chen and Q. Wang, “Numerical study on carbon deposition of SOFC with unsteady state variation of porosity”, Appl. Energy, Vol. 97, pp. 754–762, (2012).

[25] H. Xu and Z. Dang. “Lattice Boltzmann modeling of carbon deposition in porous anode of a solid oxide fuel cell with internal reforming”, Appl. Energy, Vol. 178, pp. 294–307, (2016).

[26] T. Ma , M. Yan , M. Zeng, J. l. Yuan, Q. Chen, B. Sundén and Q.W. Wang, “Parameter study of transient carbon deposition effect on the performance of a planar solid oxide fuel cell”, Appl. Energy, Vol. 152, pp. 217-228, (2014).

[27] C. Schluckner, V. Subotic, V. Lawlor and C. Hochenauer, “Carbon Deposition Simulation in Porous SOFC Anodes: A Detailed Numerical Analysis of Major Carbon Precursors”, J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol, Vol. 12, No. 5, pp. 1053-1065, (2015).

[28] V. M. Janardhanan and O. Deutschmann, “CFD analysis of a solid oxide fuel cell with internal reforming: Coupled interactions of transport, heterogeneous catalysis and electrochemical processes”, J. Power Sources, Vol. 162, No. 2, pp. 1192-1202, (2006).

[29] H. Pourziaei Araban, J. Alinejad and M. Mohsen Peiravi, “Entropy generation and hybrid fluid-solid-fluid heat transfer in 3D multi-floors enclosure”, Int. J. Exergy, Vol. 37, No. 3, (2022).

[30] M.M Peiravi and J.Alinejad, “Nano particles distribution characteristics in multi-phase heat transfer between 3D cubical enclosures mounted obstacles”, Alexandria Eng. J, Vol. 60, No. 6, pp. 5025-5038, (2021).

[31] M. D. Sanwar, G. Alharbi, K. Z. Islam, and M. d.Islam, “Techno-Economic Analysis of the Hybrid Solar PV/H/Fuel Cell Based Supply Scheme for Green Mobile Communication”, Sustainability, Vol.13, No. 22, pp.13-22, (2021).

[32] P. Costamagna and K. Honegger, “Modeling at solid oxide heat exchanger integrated stacks and simulation at high fuel utilization”, J. Electrochem. Soc, Vol. 145, No. 11, pp. 3995-4007, (1998).

[33] M.M. Hussain, X. Li and I. Dincer, “A general electrolyte–electrode-assembly model for the performance characteristics of planar anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells”, J. Power Sources, Vol. 189, No. 2, pp. 916–28, (2009).

[34] O. Razbani, M. Assadi and M. Andersson, “Three dimensional CFD modeling and experimental validation of an electrolyte supported solid oxide fuel cell fed with methane-free biogas”, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 38, No. 24, pp. 10068-10080, (2013).

[35] H. Iwai, Y. Yamamoto, M. Saito, H. Yoshida, “Numerical simulation of intermediate temperature direct-internal-reforming planar solid oxide fuel cell”, J. Energ, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 2225-2234, (2011).

[36] P. Sarmah, T.K. Gogoi and R. Das, “Estimation of operating parameters of a SOFC integrated combined power cycle using differential evolution based inverse method”, Appl. Therm. Eng, Vol. 119, pp. 98–107, (2017).

[37] L. Maier, B. Schadel, K. Herrera Delgado, S. Tischer and O. Deutschmann, “Steam Reforming of Methane Over Nickel: Development of a Multi-Step Surface Reaction Mechanism”, Top. Catal, Vol. 54, No. 845, pp. 845–858, (2011).

[38] M. Andersson, J. Yuan and B. Sundén, “Modeling Validation and Simulation of an Anode Supported SOFC Including Mass and Heat Transport, Fluid Flow and Chemical Reactions”, 9^th Int. Conference “Fuel Cell Science Engineering and Technology”, Washington, DC, USA, pp. 317-327, (2011).

Name *

Email Address *

Affiliation *

Comments *

Security Code *

CAPTCHA Image