Exergy analysis of a solid oxide fuel cell micropowerplant
Journal Article (Journal Article)
In this paper, an analytical model of a micro solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system fed by butane is introduced and analyzed in order to optimize its exergetic efficiency. The micro SOFC system is equipped with a partial oxidation (POX) reformer, a vaporizer, two pre-heaters, and a post-combustor. A one-dimensional (1D) polarization model of the SOFC is used to examine the effects of concentration overpotentials, activation overpotentials, and ohmic resistances on cell performance. This 1D polarization model is extended in this study to a two-dimensional (2D) fuel cell model considering convective mass and heat transport along the fuel cell channel and from the fuel cell to the environment. The influence of significant operational parameters on the exergetic efficiency of the micro SOFC system is discussed. The present study shows the importance of an exergy analysis of the fuel cell as part of an entire thermodynamic system (transportable micropowerplant) generating electric power. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Hotz, N; Senn, SM; Poulikakos, D
Published Date
- July 14, 2006
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 158 / 1
Start / End Page
- 333 - 347
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0378-7753
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.09.023
Citation Source
- Scopus