Numerical modelling of radiative heat transfer in an internal indirect reforming-type SOFC

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 181; no. 1; pp. 8 - 16
• Main Authors: Brus, Grzegorz, Szmyd, Janusz S.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 15.06.2008; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chambers; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Fuels; Heat transport phenomena; Internal reforming; Mathematical models; Modelling; Modules; Numerical modelling; Radiative heat transfer; Reforming system; Solid oxide fuel cell; Solid oxide fuel cells; Reforming system; Solid oxide fuel cell; Numerical modelling; Heat transport phenomena; Three dimensional model; Numerical analysis; Steam reforming; Radiative transfer; Modeling; High-temperature fuel cells; Heat transfer
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.12.064

The present paper describes numerical modelling of the radiative heat transfer process in the module chamber of an internal indirect reforming-type SOFC. The ability to do internal reforming is one of the characteristics of high-temperature fuel cells, SOFC. As in any high-temperature system, radiative heat transfer is important. In this article, heat transfer between the fuel reformer surface and all other surfaces facing the reformer surfaces is modelled. Governing equations for radiative heat transfer are described using Hottel's zone method. The resulting radiation–conduction conjugate heat transfer problems are numerically solved with a combination of Gauss–Seidel and Newton–Raphson methods. The steam reforming reaction occurring inside the fuel reformer is described using Achenbach model. The obtained results indicate that, for the development of effective indirect internal reforming, the position of the reformer in the module chamber and emissivity of the surfaces of the reformer, cell and other elements in the SOFC module all play a key role.