Modelling of mass and heat transport in planar substrate type SOFCs

A mathematical model is presented that incorporates the mass transport by diffusion in the porous structure of thick substrate type solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). On the basis of the mean transport pore model a multidimensional study allows for an optimization of the structural parameters of the substrates with respect to cell performance. Next to the mass transport in the porous substrates the electrochemical kinetics, methane/steam reforming and shift reaction, and energy equations are integrated in the model and boundary as well as operation conditions can be varied. Two-dimensional simulations for both anode as well as cathode substrate type SOFC operating on partially prereformed methane are presented and discussed. (C) 2003 The Electrochemical Society