Simulation study of channel structural design for direct internal reforming methane solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

Reasonable designs on channels could effectively improve cell performance. This study established a 3D model of planar solid oxide fuel cell directly fueled by methane to investigate the impacts of three independently designed channel structures. This includes modifications to the channel cross-sectional shape (trapezoid and bow), inserting petal-shaped obstacles (single-layer and double-layer), and the study of deflector sheets embedded into the anode channel to address the highly endothermic nature of the methane steam reforming reaction. The research results indicated that, whether trapezoidal or bowed cross-sections are used, the current density achieves the largest growth rate at L_a = 1.5W_CH (16.06 % for bow and 15.53 % for trapezoid). Additionally, double-layer obstacles provide a greater enhancement of current density than single-layer obstacles (11 % for single-layer, 18 % for double-layer) and result in smaller and more uniform fuel flow velocity distribution in the channel. Embedding two or three deflector sheets into the anode channel significantly reduces the maximum temperature difference (by 7 K for two sheets; by 10 K for three sheets, representing a nearly 48 % reduction) and notably improves the temperature distribution uniformity. The study provides a novel perspective on channels alteration which could contribute to the advancement of researches on high-efficiency SOFCs.