Microstructural Characterisation, Modelling and Simulation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathodes


Book Description

This work deals with microstructural characterisation, modelling and simulation of SOFC electrodes with the goal of optimizing the electrode microstructures. Methods for a detailed electrode analysis based on focused ion beam (FIB) tomography are presented. A 3D FEM model able to perform simulations of LSCF cathodes based on 3D tomography data is shown. A model generating realistic, yet synthetic microstructures is presented that enables the optimization of microstructural characteristics.




Solid-oxide Fuel Cell Electrode Microstructures


Book Description

Optimal electrodes for solid-oxide fuel cells will combine high porosity for gas diffusion, high phase connectivity for ion and electron conduction, and high surface area for chemical and electrochemical reactions. Tracer-diffusion simulations are used to gain a better understanding of the interplay between microstructure and transport in porous materials. Results indicate that the coefficient of diffusion through a porous medium is a function of the details of the internal geometry (microscopic) and porosity (macroscopic). I report that current solid-oxide fuel cell electrodes produced from high-temperature sintering of ceramic powders severely hinder gas transport because the resulting structures are highly tortuous, complex three-dimensional networks. In addition, poor phase connectivities will assuredly limit ion and electron transport, as well as the density of active sites for power-producing reactions. With new access to a wide range of technologies, micro- and nano-fabrication capabilities, and high-performance materials, there is a new ability to engineer the fuel cell electrode architecture, optimizing the physical processes within, increasing performance, and greatly reducing cost per kilowatt. Even simple packed-sphere and inverse-opal architectures will increase gas diffusion by an order of magnitude, and provide a higher level of connectivity than traditional powder-based structures.




Functional Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Processing, Microstructure and Performance


Book Description

Frontiers in Ceramic Science highlights the importance of ceramics and their applications in different fields such as manufacturing, construction, engineering, energy and much more. Each volume of the series brings a themed focus on a specific topic with contributions from experts around the world. The series is essential reading for materials science researchers interested in current developments in ceramic manufacturing and applications. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) have received great attention among researchers in the past few decades due to their high electrochemical energy conversion efficiency, environmental friendliness, fuel flexibility and wide range of applications. This volume is a contribution from renowned researchers in the scientific community interested in functional materials for SOFCs. Chapters in this volume emphasize the processing, microstructure and performance of electrolyte and electrode materials. Contributors review the main chemical and physical routes used to prepare ceramic/composite materials, and explain a variety of manufacturing techniques for electrode and electrolyte production and characterization. Readers will also find information about both symmetrical and single fuel cells. The book is a useful reference for students and professionals involved in SOFC research and development.




Functional Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells


Book Description

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) have received great attention among researchers in the past few decades due to their high electrochemical energy conversion efficiency, environmental friendliness, fuel flexibility and wide range of applications. This volume is a contribution from renowned researchers in the scientific community interested in functional materials for SOFCs. Chapters in this volume emphasize the processing, microstructure and performance of electrolyte and electrode materials. Contributors review the main chemical and physical routes used to prepare ceramic/composite materials, and explain a variety of manufacturing techniques for electrode and electrolyte production and characterization. Readers will also find information about both symmetrical and single fuel cells. The book is a useful reference for students and professionals involved in SOFC research and development.







Gas Transport in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary research and emerging measurement technologies associated with gas transport in solid oxide fuel cells. Within these pages, an introduction to the concept of gas diffusion in solid oxide fuel cells is presented. This book also discusses the history and underlying fundamental mechanisms of gas diffusion in solid oxide fuel cells, general theoretical mathematical models for gas diffusion, and traditional and advanced techniques for gas diffusivity measurement.




Microstructural Characterisation, Modelling and Simulation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathodes


Book Description

This work deals with microstructural characterisation, modelling and simulation of SOFC electrodes with the goal of optimizing the electrode microstructures. Methods for a detailed electrode analysis based on focused ion beam (FIB) tomography are presented. A 3D FEM model able to perform simulations of LSCF cathodes based on 3D tomography data is shown. A model generating realistic, yet synthetic microstructures is presented that enables the optimization of microstructural characteristics. This work was published by Saint Philip Street Press pursuant to a Creative Commons license permitting commercial use. All rights not granted by the work's license are retained by the author or authors.




Solid Oxide Fuel Cells


Book Description

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising electrochemical power generation devices that can convert chemical energy of a fuel into electricity in an efficient, environmental-friendly, and quiet manner. Due to their high operating temperature, SOFCs feature fuel flexibility as internal reforming of hydrocarbon fuels and ammonia thermal cracking can be realized in SOFC anode. This book presents an overview of the SOFC technology with a focus on the recent developments in new technologies and new ideas for addressing the key issues of SOFC development. This book first introduces the fundamental principles of SOFCs and compares SOFC technology with conventional heat engines as well as low temperature fuel cells. Then the latest developments in SOFC R&D are reviewed and future directions are discussed. Key issues related to SOFC performance improvement, long-term stability, mathematical modelling, as well as system integration/control are addressed, including material development, infiltration technique for nano-structured electrode fabrication, focused ion beam – scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) technique for microstructure reconstruction, the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) simulation at pore scale, multi-scale modelling, SOFC integration with buildings and other cycles for stationary applications.




High-temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Design and Applications


Book Description

High Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Design and Applications provides a comprehensive discussion of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). SOFCs are the most efficient devices for the electrochemical conversion of chemical energy of hydrocarbon fuels into electricity, and have been gaining increasing attention for clean and efficient distributed power generation. The book explains the operating principle, cell component materials, cell and stack designs and fabrication processes, cell and stack performance, and applications of SOFCs. Individual chapters are written by internationally renowned authors in their respective fields, and the text is supplemented by a large number of references for further information. The book is primarily intended for use by researchers, engineers, and other technical people working in the field of SOFCs. Even though the technology is advancing at a very rapid pace, the information contained in most of the chapters is fundamental enough for the book to be useful even as a text for SOFC technology at the graduate level.




Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Lifetime and Reliability


Book Description

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Lifetime and Reliability: Critical Challenges in Fuel Cells presents in one volume the most recent research that aims at solving key issues for the deployment of SOFC at a commercial scale and for a wider range of applications. To achieve that, authors from different regions and backgrounds address topics such as electrolytes, contaminants, redox cycling, gas-tight seals, and electrode microstructure. Lifetime issues for particular elements of the fuel cells, like cathodes, interconnects, and fuel processors, are covered as well as new materials. They also examine the balance of SOFC plants, correlations between structure and electrochemical performance, methods for analysis of performance and degradation assessment, and computational and statistical approaches to quantify degradation. For its holistic approach, this book can be used both as an introduction to these issues and a reference resource for all involved in research and application of solid oxide fuel cells, especially those developing understanding in industrial applications of the lifetime issues. This includes researchers in academia and industrial R&D, graduate students and professionals in energy engineering, electrochemistry, and materials sciences for energy applications. It might also be of particular interest to analysts who are looking into integrating SOFCs into energy systems. Brings together in a single volume leading research and expert thinking around the broad topic of SOFC lifetime and durability Explores issues that affect solid oxide fuel cells elements, materials, and systems with a holistic approach Provides a practical reference for overcoming some of the common failure mechanisms of SOFCs Features coverage of integrating SOFCs into energy systems