2D Simulation for CH 4 Internal Reforming-SOFCs: An Approach to Study Performance Degradation and Optimization

Emilio Audasso, Fiammetta Rita Bianchi and Barbara Bosio
Additional contact information
Emilio Audasso: Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genova, Via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, Italy
Fiammetta Rita Bianchi: Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genova, Via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, Italy
Barbara Bosio: Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genova, Via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genova, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are a well-developed technology, mainly used for combined heat and power production. High operating temperatures and anodic Ni-based materials allow for direct reforming reactions of CH 4 and other light hydrocarbons inside the cell. This feature favors a wider use of SOFCs that otherwise would be limited by the absence of a proper H 2 distribution network. This also permits the simplification of plant design avoiding additional units for upstream syngas production. In this context, control and knowledge of how variables such as temperature and gas composition are distributed on the cell surface are important to ensure good long-lasting performance. The aim of this work is to present a 2D modeling tool able to simulate SOFC performance working with direct internal CH 4 reforming. Initially thermodynamic and kinetic approaches are compared in order to tune the model assuming a biogas as feed. Thanks to the introduction of a matrix of coefficients to represent the local distribution of reforming active sites, the model considers degradation/poisoning phenomena. The same approach is also used to identify an optimized catalyst distribution that allows reducing critical working conditions in terms of temperature gradient, thus facilitating long-term applications.

Keywords: CH 4 internal reforming; solid oxide fuel cell; 2D local control; cell design optimization; active site degradation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/16/4116/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/16/4116/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:16:p:4116-:d:396629

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().