Modelling of finger-like channelled anode support for SOFCs application

This paper established a numerical model for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) button cell, focusing on the effects of finger-like channels on the gas transport process in the anode support. The current densities of channelled button cell and un-channelled button cell are compared at different operating temperature and voltage with H2 as the fuel. The H2 transport is discussed in detail, such as the mole fraction distribution of H2 in the porous layer, the diffusion flux and convective flux of H2. It is found that the performance of SOFC can be improved by 2.60 % at 800 °C, 0.5 V, compared with un-channelled SOFC due to the improved gas transport by the finger-like channels. Then, the model is further extended to study 2D-planar SOFC fuelled with syngas. The mole fraction gradients of H2, CO, CH4 and CO are all substantially reduced by the finger-like channels compared to un-channelled planar cell. It is found that the SOFC performance is improved by 5.93 % at 800 °C, 0.5 V, when syngas fuel is used. The present study clearly demonstrated that the use of finger-like channels in the anode support is effective in improving the gas transport and the SOFC performance. The present model can be employed for subsequent optimization of the channel configuration for further performance improvement.