A numerical study of current distribution inside the cathode and electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell

Fuel cells have the potential of becoming the prime power sources in near future. They offer many advantages over conventional power generators. Fuel cells are being extensively researched where Numerical Modeling plays an increasingly important role. The present study comprises of a new modular approach to the three dimensional modeling of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The new approach resolves important scales and details of pertinent processes inside various SOFC components. The model calculates the spatial distributions of current, temperature and specie concentrations inside the SOFC. Simulations are performed on cathode of a SOFC showed interesting results. Also a novel method is devised to model the potential jump observed at Electrode/Electrolyte interface of a fuel cell. In this method, potential jump is specified as the source term in the continuity equation for current rather than as a boundary condition. The source term is derived from an induced potential field by a dipole distribution at electrode/electrolyte interface. The preliminary results presented show some unique features which could not be detected via experimental studies.