Publication Date

2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Committee Members

George Huang (Advisor), Hong Huang (Committee Member), Ryan Miller (Committee Member), Robert Wilkens (Committee Member), Daniel Young (Committee Member)

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Abstract

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) has been considered as a promising technology to replace the traditional fossil fuels due to high efficiency, low emission, and silent operation. The configuration of microstructures throughout the electrodes plays a significant role in improving cell performance. However, current research did not capture the connections of the microstructure parameters, which is vital to simulate the SOFC behavior under practical circumstances. This study explored the correlations of microstructure parameters from a micro scale level, together with mass transfer and electrochemical reactions inside the electrodes, providing a novel approach to predict the SOFC performance numerically. The results then compared with available experimental data with encouraging outcome. Sensitivity of each microstructure parameter is also tested aiming to deliver a benchmark for micro-scale analysis of SOFC in the future. Additional effort focuses on exploring the cell performance of functionally graded electrodes by taking the microstructure sub-model correlations into consideration. Present results exhibit that micro-scale graded electrodes have the potential to enhance SOFC efficiency by boosting mass diffusion and fastening electrochemical reactions and hence demonstrate a strong improvement of cell performance compared with conventional uniform composite electrodes.

Page Count

116

Department or Program

Ph.D. in Engineering

Year Degree Awarded

2013

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