A macro-level model for determining the performance characteristics of solid oxide fuel cells

This work presents a macro-level model to determine the performance characteristics of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Activation, ohmic, and concentration polarizations are considered the main sources of irreversibility. The Butler–Volmer equation, the dusty gas model, and Ohm’s law were used to determine the polarization terms. Tafel equation, linear current potential, Fick’s model, and Stefan–Maxwell model were quantitatively analyzed as well. Performance curves were calculated for hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide as pure fuels at different conditions. A surface plot for each polarization term allowed us to analyze the contribution to voltage loss as a function of temperature and current density. The calculations presented in this paper involved the creation of many computational tools. One sample code of these algorithms is included, but all algorithms used in the paper are available from the authors.