Numerical Simulation of Processes in an Electrochemical Cell Using COMSOL Multiphysics

Iliya K. Iliev, Azamat R. Gizzatullin (), Antonina A. Filimonova, Natalia D. Chichirova and Ivan H. Beloev
Additional contact information
Iliya K. Iliev: Department ‘Heat, Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering‘, University of Ruse, 7017 Ruse, Bulgaria
Azamat R. Gizzatullin: Department ‘Chemistry and Hydrogen Energy‘, Kazan State Power Engineering University, Kazan 420066, Russia
Antonina A. Filimonova: Department ‘Chemistry and Hydrogen Energy‘, Kazan State Power Engineering University, Kazan 420066, Russia
Natalia D. Chichirova: Department ‘Chemistry and Hydrogen Energy‘, Kazan State Power Engineering University, Kazan 420066, Russia
Ivan H. Beloev: Department ‘Transport‘, University of Ruse, 7017 Ruse, Bulgaria

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-20

Abstract: Fuel cells are a promising source of clean energy. To find optimal parameters for their operation, modeling is necessary, which is quite difficult to implement taking into account all the significant effects occurring in them. We aim to develop a previously unrealized model in COMSOL Multiphysics that, on one hand, will consider the influence of electrochemical heating and non-isothermal fluid flow on the temperature field and reaction rates, and on the other hand, will demonstrate the operating mode of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) on carbonaceous fuel. This model incorporates a range of physical phenomena, including electron and ion transport, gas species diffusion, electrochemical reactions, and heat transfer, to simulate the performance of the SOFC. The findings provide a detailed view of reactant concentration, temperature, and current distribution, enabling the calculation of power output. The developed model was compared with a 1-kW industrial prototype operating on hydrogen and showed good agreement in the volt-ampere characteristic with a deviation not exceeding 5% for the majority of the operating range. The fuel cell exhibits enhanced performance on hydrogen, generating 1340 W/m 2 with a current density of 0.25 A/cm 2 . When fueled by methane, it produces 1200 W/m 2 at the same current density. Using synthesis gas, it reaches its peak power of 1340 W/m 2 at a current density of 0.3 A/cm 2 .

Keywords: SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell); COMSOL Multiphysics; fuel cell modelling; electrochemical reactions; power output calculation; reactants concentration (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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