Development of a 1D Finite-Volume Model for the Simulation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

This work presents the development and validation of a 1D, co-flow, finite-volume model for the simulation of planar SOFCs, developed for integration in more complex systems and process simulations. The model is calibrated and validated using experimental SOFC polarization curves in a wide range of operating conditions in terms of H2 and H2O molar fraction in the fuel, temperature, and fuel utilization factor, demonstrating good accuracy and the possibility to simulate the most relevant physical processes occurring within an SOFC and to investigate its internal operating conditions in terms of temperature, current density, and gas composition profiles.