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Characteristic simulation with various anode support thicknesses of membrane electrode assembly in SOFC

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Abstract

This study focuses on the research of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and proposes reasonably practical designs, analyses, and numerical analyses with coupling software in physics, COMSOL Multiphysics, as the analysis tool to discuss the effects on the SOFC performance. This research applies the design of electrode support (anode support) to substitute the original electrolyte support, Yttria-stabilized zirconia, so that the electrolyte membrane could form a membrane to reduce ohmic resistance and increase power density. This study further discusses the effects of various flow fields (counterflow and co-flow) on internal mass transfer and SOFC performance. The findings show that the cell performance of SOFC with co-flow is better than counterpart with counterflow under anode support thickness 1,000 μm. Regarding the analyses of porosity effect with the porosity 0.7 and tortuosity 4.5, the power density reaches the maximum that could enhance the cell performance.

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Acknowledgments

This study was sponsored by the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research under contract no. 992001INER045.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Greenergy, National University of Tainan, Tainan, 70005, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Jenn-Kun Kuo & Jian-Kai Wang

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  1. Jenn-Kun Kuo
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  2. Jian-Kai Wang
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Correspondence to Jenn-Kun Kuo.

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Kuo, JK., Wang, JK. Characteristic simulation with various anode support thicknesses of membrane electrode assembly in SOFC. J Solid State Electrochem 16, 329–340 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-011-1328-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-011-1328-5

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