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Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Modelling and Research

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "D2: Electrochem: Batteries, Fuel Cells, Capacitors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 17 October 2024 | Viewed by 1004

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
LightWorks Department, Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy (AzCaNE), Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875402, Tempe, AZ 85287-5402, USA
Interests: solid oxide fuel/electrolysis cell (SOFC/SOEC); solar-driven fuel; hydrogen (H2); ammonia (NH3); biofuel; polygeneration systems; energy conservation; alternative fuels; system design; process modeling & computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation; artificial intelligence (AI)-machine learning (ML)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As global electricity demand continues to rise, the imperative to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions has never been greater. SOFC technology offers a promising pathway to fulfilling this demand, with attributes of high power density, low greenhouse gas emissions, fewer mechanical parts than conventional systems, versatility in using various hydrocarbon fuels, and the ability to internally reform hydrocarbons, making it a candidate that will lead the transformation from conventional power generation to SOFC-based electricity generation. SOFC can be used for various purposes, such as portable power and auxiliary or main power supplies, backup or uninterruptible power supplies, and distributed or centralized heat and power generation.

This Special Issue seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, engineers, and experts working on solid oxide fuel cells and related technologies. By presenting the latest developments and research findings, we aim to contribute to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions and the transition from conventional power generation to SOFC-based electricity generation.

Topics of Interest: The Special Issue welcomes submissions on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

  • SOFC Materials and Fabrication Techniques: Advances in materials science for SOFC components, including electrodes, electrolytes, and interconnects;
  • Cell Design and Optimization: Research on the design, modeling, and optimization of individual SOFC cells to enhance performance and efficiency;
  • Stack Development: Investigations into the design, scaling, and performance of SOFC stacks, which involve multiple cells connected in series;
  • System Integration and Configuration: Studies on the integration of SOFC stacks into complete energy systems, including hybrid power generation setups and combined heat and power (CHP) applications;
  • Hotbox Component Improvements: Progress and developments in SOFC system components, including start and afterburner systems, reformers, air and fuel heat exchangers, and steam generators;
  • Fuel Flexibility: Research on the utilization of various fuels in SOFCs, such as natural gas, methane, ethanol, syngas, biogas, coal, gasoline, and ammonia;
  • Anode/Cathode Off-Gas Recirculation: Research on the recirculation of exhaust gases from the anode and cathode sides to improve efficiency;
  • Thermal Management: Strategies and techniques for managing the thermal stresses and temperature gradients within SOFCs and stacks;
  • Modeling and Simulation: Advanced modeling approaches and simulation tools for predicting the behavior and performance of SOFC systems;
  • System Control and Management: Strategies and algorithms for controlling SOFC systems to optimize their performance and stability;
  • Environmental Impact and Emissions: Assessment of the environmental benefits of SOFC technology, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Techno-Economic Analysis: Cost-benefit analyses and economic feasibility studies of SOFC-based energy systems.

Dr. Iman Rahimipetroudi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cell design
  • stack development
  • system integration and configuration
  • hotbox design
  • alternative fuels
  • anode/cathode off-gas recirculation
  • modelling and simulation
  • techno-economic analysis
  • optimal design methodologies

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3294 KiB  
Article
A Dynamic Tanks-in-Series Model for a High-Temperature PEM Fuel Cell
by Valery A. Danilov, Gunther Kolb and Carsten Cremers
Energies 2024, 17(12), 2841; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17122841 - 9 Jun 2024
Viewed by 312
Abstract
A dynamic tanks-in-series model has been developed for the coupled heat, mass, and charge transfer processes in a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The semi-empirical model includes the heat and mass balance equations in the gas channels and the membrane electrode assembly [...] Read more.
A dynamic tanks-in-series model has been developed for the coupled heat, mass, and charge transfer processes in a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The semi-empirical model includes the heat and mass balance equations in the gas channels and the membrane electrode assembly together with the charge balance at the electrode/membrane interfaces. The outputs of the tanks-in-series model are the concentration, the temperature, and the current density with a step change from tank to tank. The dynamic non-isothermal model is capable of predicting both the transient and steady-state behavior of the fuel cell and reproducing impedance data under harmonic perturbations of the cell potential together with a comprehensive interpretation of experimental data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Modelling and Research)
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23 pages, 6667 KiB  
Article
Computational and Experimental Research on the Influence of Supplied Gas Fuel Mixture on High-Temperature Fuel Cell Performance Characteristics
by Iliya Krastev Iliev, Antonina Andreevna Filimonova, Andrey Alexandrovich Chichirov, Natalia Dmitrievna Chichirova and Plamen Ganchev Kangalov
Energies 2024, 17(11), 2452; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17112452 - 21 May 2024
Viewed by 378
Abstract
Currently, the process of creating industrial installations is associated with digital technologies and must involve the stage of developing digital models. It is also necessary to combine installations with different properties, functions, and operational principles into a single system. Some tasks require the [...] Read more.
Currently, the process of creating industrial installations is associated with digital technologies and must involve the stage of developing digital models. It is also necessary to combine installations with different properties, functions, and operational principles into a single system. Some tasks require the use of predictive modeling and the creation of “digital twins”. The main processes during the fuel cell modeling involve electrochemical transformations as well as the movement of heat and mass flows, including monitoring and control processes. Numerical methods are utilized in addressing various challenges related to fuel cells, such as electrochemical modeling, collector design, performance evaluation, electrode microstructure impact, thermal stress analysis, and the innovation of structural components and materials. A digital model of the membrane-electrode unit for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is presented in the article, incorporating factors like fluid dynamics, mass transfer, and electrochemical and thermal effects within the cell structure. The mathematical model encompasses equations for momentum, mass, mode, heat and charge transfer, and electrochemical and reforming reactions. Experimental data validates the model, with a computational mesh of 55 million cells ensuring numerical stability and simulation capability. Detailed insights on chemical flow distribution, temperature, current density, and more are unveiled. Through a numerical model, the influence of various fuel types on SOFC efficiency was explored, highlighting the promising performance of petrochemical production waste as a high-efficiency, low-reagent consumption fuel with a superior fuel utilization factor. The recommended voltage range is 0.6–0.7 V, with operating temperatures of 900–1300 K to reduce temperature stresses on the cell when using synthesis gas from petrochemical waste. The molar ratio of supplied air to fuel is 6.74 when operating on synthesis gas. With these parameters, the utilization rate of methane is 0.36, carbon monoxide CO is 0.4, and hydrogen is 0.43, respectively. The molar ratio of water to synthesis gas is 2.0. These results provide an opportunity to achieve electrical efficiency of the fuel cell of 49.8% and a thermal power of 54.6 W when using synthesis gas as fuel. It was demonstrated that a high-temperature fuel cell can provide consumers with heat and electricity using fuel from waste from petrochemical production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Modelling and Research)
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