Volume 5: Innovative Solutions for Energy Transitions: Part IV

Temporal and Spatial Analysis on Temperatures in a SOFC Short Stack Hangyue Li, Minfang Han, Qingping Fang, Zaihong Sun

Abstract

The distributions and transients of temperature are practical indicators of the state and the properties of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), yet few methods are available to interpret the temperatures in-situ for the internal states of the stack. A heat balance model was developed to estimate the distribution of heat sources in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell short stack. The model is based on the temperatures measured with 6 thermocouples in the stack and treats the stack as 6 elements, taking into account the heat transfer among the elements and the test bench. A significant change in heat source distribution before and after tests with carboncontaining gases was revealed with the model, indicating possible cell damage near the fuel inlet. The model will be further calibrated for better accuracy and spatial resolution.

Keywords Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Stack, Temperature, Heat Balance, Model, Heat Source