Evaluation and Computational Modelling of Planar Electrolyte-Supported SOFC

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are a cutting-edge technology for converting chemical energy into electrical energy, offering exceptional efficiency and compatibility with renewable energy systems, making them integral to sustainable energy solutions. This study addresses a specific gap in the research of single-channel planar electrolyte-supported SOFC models, which face challenges in achieving accurate simulations through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) due to limited studies and inherent modelling complexities. The primary objective of this work is to develop and validate planar electrolyte-supported model using advanced CFD techniques. A comprehensive grid independence test was conducted, confirming the reliability of the simulation with the current output stabilizing at 121,176 elements with 0.73V. Further analysis revealed that reducing the node distance along the y-axis (reaction direction axis) significantly influenced the current output, showing variations of 19-21% percentage difference, compared to less than 5% along the x-axis (perpendicular direction to fuel direction axis) and z-axis (fuel direction axis). To enhance the model’s reliability, its results were validated against findings from other studies using different SOFC design model and criteria but sharing similar concepts, with comparisons incorporating both simulation and experimental data. These validations confirmed the model’s high accuracy and reliability. The findings establish planar electrolyte-supported SOFC model as a reliable and valuable design for advancing research, enabling performance optimization, and addressing the challenges of sustainable energy technologies. Furthermore, by considering time and cost, this simulation study can be a reference in predicting the performance of future SOFC research.