Heat Distribution Model Of Direct Hydrocarbon Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Human beings are confronted with the great challenge of energy problem in 21century. Solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC)is an energy equipment, which has the capability of conerting chemical energy directly into electricity with low pollution and high efficiency. Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell overcomes some shortcomings of the high temperature solid oxide fuel cell and low temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell, and it have the advantages of them. So it makes intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell to come one of the most active iresearch areas of solid oxide fuel cell technology.On the basis of the operating principle of solid oxide fuel cell, a three-dimensional mathematical model is established, which includes the momentum, heat transfer, electrochemical reaction and species transport in SOFC. And working process was carrired out numerical simulations to study solid oxide fuel cell distribution of temperature, current density, voltage and active overpotential.By using the mathematical model, it carry out numerical simulations in solid oxide fuel cell, when the operating temperature is 923K, 973K, 1023K, 1073K and 1123K. The result of simulation shows that the maximum temperature area of solid oxide fuel cell generates in the rear of the SOFC with the electrochemical reaction, which is fit the actual work process of solid oxide fuel cell. If solid oxide fuel cell operating temperature is lower, the maximum temperature difference of between electrolyte and electrode will be lower, which can extend SOFC's life.SOFC's performance is affected on not only temperature distribution but also the current density and activion overpotential of SOFC and so on. Therefore, the paper carries out numerical simulations on the current density distribution and activation overpotential distribution. The result of simulation show that the current density and activation overpotential of SOFC decrease with the operating temperature reduceing, which can improve the SOFC's performance.The basic research on the working process of solid oxide fuel cell is carried out in the paper. It has some guidance and theoretical value for the experimental research and production practice of SOFC's working process.