Numerical investigation of the effect of the electrochemical oxidation of carbon monoxide on the performance of a planar solid oxide fuel cell fuelled by synthesis gas

A comprehensive investigation has been conducted into the direct internal reforming planar type solid oxide fuel cell (DIR-PSOFC) through numerical analysis. The mathematical modeling of DIR-PSOFC is achieved through the implementation of conservation equations and a comprehensive electrochemical model. The synthesis gas fuel is introduced into the fuel channel, where both carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H۲) undergo electrochemical oxidation. Gas flows are treated as plug flows with a co-flow configuration. Results of the simulation are then compared with and without the inclusion of carbon monoxide electrochemical oxidation. This comparison encompasses temperature fluctuations along the cell's longitudinal axis and the mole fraction variations of all gaseous species along the cel length, in addition to the electrical performance of the SOFC. It has been demonstrated that CO accounts for only ۲۰% of the total current density. The contribution of CO to the generation of electric current at the inlet is ۱۵%. At the point of maximum current density, the value is ۱۶.۱۷%. The cell operating voltage, power density, and fuel efficiency have been demonstrated to exhibit an enhancement, with an augmentation observed from ۰.۶۸ to ۰.۷۵ V, ۳۴۱۱.۳۹۶ to ۳۷۳۹.۱۳۰ W/m۲, and ۴۵.۸۳% to ۵۰.۲۳%, respectively, when CO is used as a reactant in the anode side TPB. It has been determined that the electrochemical reaction of CO results in elevated heat generation within the cell, which in turn enhances the operating temperature. Consequently, the activation and ohmic losses are diminished, thereby improving the local current density and cell operating voltage.

کلیدواژه ها:

SOFC ، Synthesis gas fuelled ، Direct internal reforming ، Co electrochemical reaction ، Comprehensive numerical investigation