Encyclopedia of Thermal Stresses

2014 Edition
| Editors: Richard B. Hetnarski

Probability of Failure During the Operation of Direct Internal Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2739-7_77
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Overview

The selection of the operating strategy and parameters of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) plays a crucial role in preventing the formation of excessive thermal stresses and the failure of the cell during its operation. In this regard, models can be developed to characterize the cell, estimate its performance, and ensure its safe operation. The development of a multiphysics model (i.e., thermal, electrochemical, and thermomechanical models) of a planar direct internal reforming (DIR) SOFC is presented in this entry. The modeling steps, strategy, and formulation are discussed. The thermal and electrochemical models give the temperature, molar gas composition, fuel utilization ratio, average current density, power density, and electrical efficiency of the cell at the heat-up, start-up, and steady-state periods. The thermomechanical model is used to find the first principal thermal stresses and the probability of failure of the cell during its operation. Using these models, a case...

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Notes

Acknowledgments

The financial support of Mitacs Elevate Program, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, an Ontario Premier’s Research Excellence Award, Ryerson University, Carleton University, and University of Ontario and Institute of Technology is gratefully acknowledged.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Mechanical EngineeringDokuz Eylul UniversityIzmirTurkey
  2. 2.University of Ontario, Institute of TechnologyOshawaCanada
  3. 3.Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering DepartmentUniversity of WaterlooWaterlooCanada