Optimization of Distributed Cylindrical Interconnect Ribs for Anode- and Cathode-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

摘要

This paper presents a 3D multi-physics mathematic model to study the influence of distributedcylindrical interconnect ribs on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance; and achieve the optimizingconclusions. The numerical simulation reveals that the interconnect structure, rib size, pitch width andcontact resistance have significant effect on the the cell output; and there exists an optimum rib size tomaximize the output current density. In addition, as there are significant differences working detailsbetween anode and cathode zone, as well as between anode-supported and cathode-supported, theyshould be optimized separately. Finally, the relationships between the optimized results and contactresistances for different SOFC types are concluded into simple expressions respectively to providegenerality in practical application.