Multiphysics analysis of flow uniformity and stack/manifold configuration in a kilowatt-class multistack solid oxide electrolysis cell module

Chao Yang, Zepeng Li, Yanfeng Wang, He Miao and Jinliang Yuan

Energy, 2024, vol. 307, issue C

Abstract: Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) can convert excess electrical energy into hydrogen at high temperatures. However, widespread implementation of SOECs is impeded by performance degradation and reliability issues at large-sized stacks. The magnification effects of heat, flow, and reactions within the stacks are necessary to address the limitations. In this study, we focus on a 12 kW multistack module comprising four short stacks, each containing 24 cells. A novel numerical approach based on distributed resistance analogy is employed to predict the multiphysics transport phenomena at the multistack module level. The effects of varying cell/stack numbers on the uniformity of multiphysics are investigated. A distributed gas supply method is introduced to achieve even distribution of gaseous flow across different stacks. Notably, increasing the number of short-stacks enhances flow and temperature uniformities compared to single long-stack configurations. A unified buffer chamber is proposed to decrease the temperature difference to 42.2 K for the magnified mutlistack module. The flow uniformity index of a dual-stack module (2 stacks × 48 cells) exhibits a remarkable 17.1 % improvement over that of a single long-stack (1 stack × 96 cells). A four-stack module (4 stacks × 24 cells) demonstrates a 6.7 % increase in flow uniformity index compared to the dual-stack configuration.

Keywords: Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs); Kilowatt-class multistack module; flow uniformity index; Multiphysics; Cascade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:307:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224024010

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.132627

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