Power generation enhancement of solid oxide fuel cell by cathode–electrolyte interface modification in mesoscale assisted by level set-based optimization calculation

To explore potential for the power density enhancement of solid oxide fuel cells by controlling the cathode–electrolyte interface in mesoscale, two-dimensional numerical simulations were conducted. In the simulation, a level set-based topology optimization technique was successfully coupled with the SOFC simulation based on a microscale model and was applied for the local optimization of the interface shape. The numerical results showed that the optimized shape of the cathode–electrolyte interface varied depending on the simulation conditions and that the cell performance could be improved by applying non-flat design to the cathode–electrolyte interface for the same amount of cathode/electrolyte materials.

Research highlights▶ We conducted 2D numerical simulations of SOFC electrode based on microscale model. ▶ Effects of cathode–electrolyte interface control in mesoscale are numerically investigated. ▶ A level set-based optimization calculation technique is successfully applied. ▶ The cell performance can be improved by applying non-flat design to the interface. ▶ The optimized interface shape varies depending on the simulation conditions.