IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2022i1p159-d1013111.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Design and Analysis of a Novel Opposite Trapezoidal Flow Channel for Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell Stack

Author

Listed:
  • Zhen Zhang

    (Department of Hydrogen Technique, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Chengzhi Guan

    (Department of Hydrogen Technique, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
    Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
    Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian 116023, China)

  • Leidong Xie

    (Center for Thorium Molten Salts Reactor System, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China)

  • Jian-Qiang Wang

    (Department of Hydrogen Technique, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
    Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
    Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian 116023, China)

Abstract

High efficiency, raw material availability, and compatibility with downstream systems will enable the Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) to play an important role in the future energy transition. However, the SOEC stack’s performance should be improved further by utilizing a novel flow-field design, and the channel shape is a key factor for enhancing gas transportation. To investigate the main effects of the novel channel design with fewer calculations, we assumed ideal gas laminar flows in the cathode channel. Furthermore, the cathode support layer thickness and electrical contact resistance are ignored. The conventional channel flow is validated first with mesh independence, and then the performance difference between the conventional and novel designs is analyzed using COMSOL Multiphysics. The process parameters such as velocity, pressure, current density, and mole concentration are compared between the conventional and novel designs, demonstrating that the novel design significantly improves electrolysis efficiency. Furthermore, it directly increased the concentration of product hydrogen in the novel channel. In addition to enhancing convection and diffusion of reaction gases in neighboring channels, the simple structure makes it easy to manufacture, which is advantageous for accelerating commercial use of the novel design.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhen Zhang & Chengzhi Guan & Leidong Xie & Jian-Qiang Wang, 2022. "Design and Analysis of a Novel Opposite Trapezoidal Flow Channel for Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell Stack," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2022:i:1:p:159-:d:1013111
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/1/159/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/1/159/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hong Liu & Zoheb Akhtar & Peiwen Li & Kai Wang, 2014. "Mathematical Modeling Analysis and Optimization of Key Design Parameters of Proton-Conductive Solid Oxide Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Khazaee, I. & Rava, A., 2017. "Numerical simulation of the performance of solid oxide fuel cell with different flow channel geometries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 235-244.
    3. Thomas M. M. Heenan & Seyed Ali Nabavi & Maria Erans & James B. Robinson & Matthew D. R. Kok & Maximilian Maier & Daniel J. L. Brett & Paul R. Shearing & Vasilije Manovic, 2020. "The Role of Bi-Polar Plate Design and the Start-Up Protocol in the Spatiotemporal Dynamics during Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode Reduction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-12, July.
    4. Navasa, Maria & Yuan, Jinliang & Sundén, Bengt, 2015. "Computational fluid dynamics approach for performance evaluation of a solid oxide electrolysis cell for hydrogen production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 867-876.
    5. Ayush Prada Dash & Tabish Alam & Md Irfanul Haque Siddiqui & Paolo Blecich & Mukesh Kumar & Naveen Kumar Gupta & Masood Ashraf Ali & Anil Singh Yadav, 2022. "Impact on Heat Transfer Rate Due to an Extended Surface on the Passage of Microchannel Using Cylindrical Ribs with Varying Sector Angle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-21, November.
    6. Wang, Junye, 2015. "Theory and practice of flow field designs for fuel cell scaling-up: A critical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 640-663.
    7. Wei, S.-S. & Wang, T.-H. & Wu, J.-S., 2014. "Numerical modeling of interconnect flow channel design and thermal stress analysis of a planar anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell stack," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 553-561.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Abdellah Essaghouri & Zezhi Zeng & Bingguo Zhao & Changkun Hao & Yuping Qian & Weilin Zhuge & Yangjun Zhang, 2022. "Effects of Radial and Circumferential Flows on Power Density Improvements of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Gong, Chengyuan & Tu, Zhengkai & Hwa Chan, Siew, 2023. "A novel flow field design with flow re-distribution for advanced thermal management in Solid oxide fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    3. Promsen, Mungmuang & Komatsu, Yosuke & Sciazko, Anna & Kaneko, Shozo & Shikazono, Naoki, 2020. "Feasibility study on saturated water cooled solid oxide fuel cell stack," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    4. Abdellah Essaghouri & Zezhi Zeng & Bingguo Zhao & Changkun Hao & Yuping Qian & Weilin Zhuge & Yangjun Zhang, 2022. "Influence of Radial Flows on Power Density and Gas Stream Pressure Drop of Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-21, October.
    5. Najmi, Aezid-Ul-Hassan & Anyanwu, Ikechukwu S. & Xie, Xu & Liu, Zhi & Jiao, Kui, 2021. "Experimental investigation and optimization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell using different flow fields," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    6. Karol K. Śreniawski & Maciej Chalusiak & Marcin Moździerz & Janusz S. Szmyd & Grzegorz Brus, 2023. "Transport Phenomena in a Banded Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack—Part 1: Model and Validation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-25, June.
    7. Li, Wenkai & Zhang, Qinglei & Wang, Chao & Yan, Xiaohui & Shen, Shuiyun & Xia, Guofeng & Zhu, Fengjuan & Zhang, Junliang, 2017. "Experimental and numerical analysis of a three-dimensional flow field for PEMFCs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 278-288.
    8. Baik, Kyung Don & Seo, Il Sung, 2018. "Metallic bipolar plate with a multi-hole structure in the rib regions for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 333-339.
    9. Rahmani, Ebrahim & Moradi, Tofigh & Ghandehariun, Samane & Naterer, Greg F. & Ranjbar, Amirhossein, 2023. "Enhanced mass transfer and water discharge in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with a raccoon channel flow field," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    10. Meng Ni & Zongping Shao & Kwong Yu Chan, 2014. "Modeling of Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Fueled with Syngas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-16, July.
    11. Xing, Xuetao & Lin, Jin & Song, Yonghua & Hu, Qiang & Zhou, You & Mu, Shujun, 2018. "Optimization of hydrogen yield of a high-temperature electrolysis system with coordinated temperature and feed factors at various loading conditions: A model-based study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 368-385.
    12. Khazaee, I. & Rava, A., 2017. "Numerical simulation of the performance of solid oxide fuel cell with different flow channel geometries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 235-244.
    13. Karol K. Śreniawski & Marcin Moździerz & Grzegorz Brus & Janusz S. Szmyd, 2023. "Transport Phenomena in a Banded Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack—Part 2: Numerical Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-21, June.
    14. Nurul Waheeda Mazlan & Munirah Shafiqah Murat & Chung-Jen Tseng & Oskar Hasdinor Hassan & Nafisah Osman, 2022. "Lattice Expansion and Crystallite Size Analyses of NiO-BaCe 0. 54 Zr 0. 36 Y 0. 1 O 3-δ Anode Composite for Proton Ceramic Fuel Cells Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-10, November.
    15. Li, Haolong & Wei, Wei & Liu, Fengxia & Xu, Xiaofei & Li, Zhiyi & Liu, Zhijun, 2023. "Identification of internal polarization dynamics for solid oxide fuel cells investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and distribution of relaxation times," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    16. Zhou, Lean & Liao, Chengmei & Li, Tian & An, Jingkun & Du, Qing & Wan, Lili & Li, Nan & Pan, Xiaoqiang & Wang, Xin, 2018. "Regeneration of activated carbon air-cathodes by half-wave rectified alternating fields in microbial fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 199-206.
    17. Siddiqui, Osman K. & Zubair, Syed M., 2017. "Efficient energy utilization through proper design of microchannel heat exchanger manifolds: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 969-1002.
    18. Anita Šalić & Bruno Zelić, 2022. "A Game Changer: Microfluidic Technology for Enhancing Biohydrogen Production—Small Size for Great Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-22, September.
    19. Zeng, Zezhi & Qian, Yuping & Zhang, Yangjun & Hao, Changkun & Dan, Dan & Zhuge, Weilin, 2020. "A review of heat transfer and thermal management methods for temperature gradient reduction in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    20. Jee Min Park & Dae Yun Kim & Jong Dae Baek & Yong-Jin Yoon & Pei-Chen Su & Seong Hyuk Lee, 2018. "Effect of Electrolyte Thickness on Electrochemical Reactions and Thermo-Fluidic Characteristics inside a SOFC Unit Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-15, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2022:i:1:p:159-:d:1013111. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.