Modeling and microstructural study of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells: Experimental and thermodynamic analyses - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 54, 613-634, 2024, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.08.296 .

Developing novel solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with high stability running at low temperatures is an important objective in SOFC science. In the current paper, a comprehensive physics-based microstructure modeling using scanning electron microscope (SEM) image analysis was performed on several anode-support SOFCs operating at low temperatures with high stability. To bridge the gap in the literature regarding an accurate and realistic modeling, a new model was developed based on the variable fuel and air utilization factors and updated microstructure values (e.g., tortuosity, porosity, pore size, grain size). The model accuracy was verified by a thorough point-to-point validation for eight different cells with the configuration of Ni-YSZ (anode), YSZ (electrolyte), and GDC/PNO (cathode). Different temperatures, hydrogen, and air mass flow rates were used, for which an average error of less than 3% in the I-V curves was achieved. The microstructure of the cells, including cathode thickness (15-26 ?m), anode-support thickness (350-460 ?m), porosity (39 and 43%), grain size (1.1-1.4 ?m), and pore radius (0.9-1.1 ?m) were varied. Moreover, the effects of the critical operational and design parameters on the overpotential losses and cell performance were studied. The results show that a hydrogen flow rate of 43 sccm was ideal when the cell operated at 0.9 A/cm2 and 700 °C. Moreover, an average anode-support pore radius of 1.75 ?m resulted in the best cell performance. It was also concluded that the electrolyte thickness has a higher effect on the cell performance compared to the cathode thickness. © 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC


FUEL UTILIZATION FACTOR
MICROSTRUCTURE
MODELING
OVERPOTENTIAL LOSSES
SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL