Detailed transient thermal simulation of a planar SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) using gPROMS™

This paper presents a detailed flexible mathematical model for planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), which allows the simulation of transient performance characteristics. This mathematical model includes the incorporation of a thermal modelling into an electrochemical model with physico-chemical governing equations and a detailed multi-component gas diffusion mechanism, Dusty Gas Model (DGM). Spatial discretization can be applied up to quasi 3-D geometries and is resolved with the FDM (Finite Difference Method). The model is built and implemented in the commercially available modelling and simulations platform gPROMS (TM). The model was compared against existing models, the differences in results are identified and attributed to assumptions. Several transient operation case studies are examined such as load change and start-up: the results illustrate how important such a tool is for analyzing SOFC operation. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.