Modelling of a cathode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cell operating with biomass-derived synthesis gas

A mechanistic model for the operation of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) using synthesis gas as a fuel source has been successfully developed and validated against experimental data reported in the literature. The model considers momentum-, mass-, energy- and charge-transport equations coupled with electrochemical and water-gas shift reactions. This avoids the use of empirical correlations for estimating heat and mass transfer coefficients. The model is solved to predict SOFC performance and behavior by determining the distributions of current density, temperature and species concentrations throughout the cell. The developed model was used to predict the effect of the composition of biomass-derived synthesis gas fuels on cell performance and behavior.