Numerical analysis of current efficiency distributions in a protonic ceramic fuel cell using Nernst-Planck-Poisson model

Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) operating at intermediate temperatures (400 °C~600 °C) are expected to demonstrate a high performance due to proton (OHO·) conductivity. However, the current efficiencies of PCFCs are bound to decrease due to electron holes (h·) conductivity through the electrolyt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 45; no. 58; pp. 34139 - 34149
Main Authors Li, Kunpeng, Araki, Takuto, Kawamura, Toshiki, Ota, Atsuhito, Okuyama, Yuji
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Ltd 27.11.2020
Subjects
Conductivity distribution
Current efficiency
Electron hole
Power efficiency
Protonic ceramic fuel cell
Protonic ceramic fuel cell
Conductivity distribution
Current efficiency
Power efficiency
Electron hole
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Summary:Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) operating at intermediate temperatures (400 °C~600 °C) are expected to demonstrate a high performance due to proton (OHO·) conductivity. However, the current efficiencies of PCFCs are bound to decrease due to electron holes (h·) conductivity through the electrolyte and are strongly dependent on influence parameters such as electrolyte thickness and operating temperatures of PCFCs. Consequently, the relationship between current efficiencies and the above-mentioned parameters has been quantitatively evaluated, with the aim of enhancing the former. The defect conductivities in the PCFC have been simulated using two-dimensional Nernst-Planck-Poisson (NPP) system with different operating temperatures and electrolyte thicknesses. Subsequently, the current efficiency distributions are revealed. The influence of the operating temperature on the current efficiency distributions is also clarified. The results further indicated that optimized membrane thickness should be carefully selected according to power density and power efficiency. •Two dimensional defect conductivities distributions in electrolyte are obtained.•Hole leakage was observed to decrease along the gas flow direction.•Current efficiencies were affected by temperature and electrolyte thickness.•Optimal conditions were discussed considering power efficiency and power density.
ISSN:0360-3199
1879-3487
DOI:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.09.143