Numerical Investigation on the Performance of IT-SOEC with Double-Layer Composite Electrode

Yan Shao, Yongwei Li, Zaiguo Fu (), Jingfa Li and Qunzhi Zhu
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Yan Shao: College of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China
Yongwei Li: College of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China
Zaiguo Fu: College of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China
Jingfa Li: School of Mechanical Engineering & Hydrogen Energy Research Centre, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, China
Qunzhi Zhu: College of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai University of Electric Power, Shanghai 200090, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: The double-layer composite electrode has attracted increasing attention in the field of intermediate-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells (IT-SOEC). To investigate the effects of the cathode diffusion layer (CDL) and cathode functional layer (CFL) structure on performance, a three-dimensional multi-scale IT-SOEC unit model is developed. The model comprehensively considers the detailed mass transfer, electrochemical reaction and heat transfer processes. Meanwhile, percolation theory is adopted to preserve the structural characteristics and material properties of the composite electrode. The mesostructure model and the macroscopic model are coupled in the solution. The effects of the porosity of the CDL, the electrode particle size and the composition of the composite electrode in the CFL on the mass transport process and electrolysis performance of the IT-SOEC unit are analyzed. The results show that the appropriate mass flux and energy consumption in the electrode are obtained with a CDL porosity in the range of 0.3–0.5. The decrease in the electrode particle size is conducive to the improvement of the electrolysis reaction rate. The maximum reaction rate in the CFL increases by 32.64% when the radius of the electrode particle is reduced from 0.5 μm to 0.3 μm. The excellent performance can be obtained when the volume fractions of the electrode phase and electrolyte phase in the CFL tend to be uniform. This study will provide guidance for the performance optimization of IT-SOEC and further promote the development of IT-SOEC hydrogen production technology in engineering applications.

Keywords: solid oxide electrolysis cell; composite electrode; multi-scale modeling; cathode diffusion layer; cathode functional layer (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
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