On the effect of methane internal reforming modelling in solid oxide fuel cells

This work analyzes different models to describe internal methane reforming in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Two approaches have been generally used for it: equilibrium and kinetics. In the first case—equilibrium-methane reforming is considered to be fast enough to reach equilibrium. Contrarily, kinetics-based theories assume that the reforming reaction is very slow and does not reach equilibrium. In this case, a reforming rate equation is needed.Four cases are considered: one equilibrium model, two kinetics models and a mixed model. Results show that methane reforming does not follow a unique pattern along the anodic duct and a local detailed analysis is demanded. Furthermore, a mixed model must be used for multidimensional SOFC modelling, although equilibrium is globally satisfactory and, therefore, it is appropriate for 0-D models.