ISSN Online: 2377-424X
ISBN Print: 978-1-56700-421-2
International Heat Transfer Conference 15
Tortuosity in Porous Anode Electrode of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Estimated from Saturation Currents and a Mass Transport Model in Comparison with a Real Micro-Structure
Résumé
This work provides discussion on the subject of deriving tortuosity from a saturation current and a mass transport model. In the conducted research an anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with Nickel/Yttria- Stabilized Zirconia (Ni/YSZ) anode, Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte, and Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite oxide (LSCF) cathode was tested. Current densities under concentration polarization were measured for different hydrogen partial pressure on the anodic side. Mass transport through a porous anode was analyzed for the H2-N2 binary system. Cell performances were measured at 900 oC with air as an oxidant. Obtained saturation current densities were used for the tortuosity calculations. The presented calculation methodology based on the Stefan-Maxwell equation and Kundsen diffusion. After the power generation experiment, a three dimensional structure was reconstructed using a combination of scanning electron microscope and focus ion beam milling (FIB-SEM). Finally, tortuosity values derived from the transport limitation and structure analysis were juxtaposed.