Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems

Junjie Chen; Xuhui Gao

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11

| Peer-Reviewed

Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems

Junjie Chen, Xuhui Gao

Published in American Journal of Modern Energy (Volume 3, Issue 3)

Received: 10 May 2017 Accepted: 26 May 2017 Published: 30 June 2017

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

The operation of solid oxide fuel cell systems with the internal steam reforming of methane over supported nickel catalysts is studied. A mathematical model including heterogeneous chemistry, electro-chemistry, mass transport, and porous media transport is developed to explore the thermal energy coupling between the steam reforming and the electrochemical reactions, independent of the geometrical structure. The role of catalyst activity, inlet temperature, current density, and operating pressure in the system behavior is evaluated. A sensitivity analysis is also performed for different design parameters. The effect of flow configuration on the operation of the system is analyzed and compared based on multiple performance criteria. It is shown that the internal steam reforming within the fuel cell system can result in an overall auto-thermal operation which increases efficiency and simplifies the design process. However, a local cooling effect may occur close to the entrance of the reformer. The use of less active catalysts can cause the slippage of the methane. To reduce both the overall temperature increase across the fuel cell and the local cooling caused by the endothermic steam reforming reactions, increasing the operating pressure is found to be an effective approach. High system efficiency is obtained with increasing the operating pressure or decreasing the current density. The more efficient system is found for a co-flow configuration, while significant temperature gradients near the entrance of the reformer are not desirable for ceramic solid oxide fuel cell systems.

Published in	American Journal of Modern Energy (Volume 3, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11
Page(s)	38-49
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Steam Reforming, Design Parameter, Flow Configuration, Reaction Kinetics, Energy Conversion Efficiency

References

[1]	B. C. H. Steele and A. Heinzel. Materials for fuel-cell technologies. Nature, Volume 414, Issues 6861, 2001, Pages 345-352.
[2]	M. Winter and R. J. Brodd. What are batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors? Chemical Reviews, Volume 104, Issues 10, 2004, Pages 4245-4270.
[3]	L. Carrette, K. A. Friedrich, and U. Stimming. Fuel cells - Fundamentals and applications. Fuel Cells, Volume 1, Issue 1, 2001, Pages 5-39.
[4]	A. Atkinson, S. Barnett, R. J. Gorte, J. T. S. Irvine, A. J. McEvoy, M. Mogensen, S. C. Singhal, and J. Vohs. Advanced anodes for high-temperature fuel cells. Nature Materials, Volume 3, Issues 1, 2004, Pages 17-27.
[5]	O. Yamamoto. Solid oxide fuel cells: fundamental aspects and prospects. Electrochimica Acta, Volume 45, Issues 15-16, 2000, Pages 2423-2435.
[6]	A. J. Jacobson. Materials for solid oxide fuel cells. Chemistry of Materials, Volume 22, Issues 3, 2010, Pages 660-674.
[7]	E. D. Wachsman and K. T. Lee. Lowering the temperature of solid oxide fuel cells. Science, Volume 334, Issues 6058, 2011, Pages 935-939.
[8]	A. Choudhury, H. Chandra, and A. Arora. Application of solid oxide fuel cell technology for power generation - A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 20, 2013, Pages 430-442.
[9]	D. Mogensen, J.-D. Grunwaldt, P. V. Hendriksen, K. Dam-Johansen, and J. U. Nielsen. Internal steam reforming in solid oxide fuel cells: Status and opportunities of kinetic studies and their impact on modelling. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 196, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 25-38.
[10]	V. Menon, A. Banerjee, J. Dailly, and O. Deutschmann. Numerical analysis of mass and heat transport in proton-conducting SOFCs with direct internal reforming. Applied Energy, Volume 149, 2015, Pages 161-175.
[11]	S. H. Clarke, A. L. Dicks, K. Pointon, T. A. Smith, and A. Swann. Catalytic aspects of the steam reforming of hydrocarbons in internal reforming fuel cells. Catalysis Today, Volume 38, Issue 4, 1997, Pages 411-423.
[12]	P. Aguiar, D. Chadwick, and L. Kershenbaum. Modelling of an indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell. Chemical Engineering Science, Volume 57, Issue 10, 2002, Pages 1665-1677.
[13]	P. Aguiar, D. Chadwick, and L. Kershenbaum. Effect of methane slippage on an indirect internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell. Chemical Engineering Science, Volume 59, Issue 1, 2004, Pages 87-97.
[14]	J. R. Rostrup-Nielsen and L. J. Christiansen. Internal steam reforming in fuel cells and alkali poisoning. Applied Catalysis A: General, Volume 126, Issue 2, 1995, Pages 381-390.
[15]	V. Menon, V. M. Janardhanan, S. Tischer, and O. Deutschmann. A novel approach to model the transient behavior of solid-oxide fuel cell stacks. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 214, 2012, Pages 227-238.
[16]	R. Suwanwarangkul, E. Croiset, M. W. Fowler, P. L. Douglas, E. Entchev, and M. A. Douglas. Performance comparison of Fick’s, dusty-gas and Stefan-Maxwell models to predict the concentration overpotential of a SOFC anode. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 122, Issue 1, 2003, Pages 9-18.
[17]	V. Menon, Q. Fu, V. M. Janardhanan, and O. Deutschmann. A model-based understanding of solid-oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) for syngas production by H2O/CO2 co-electrolysis. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 274, 2015, Pages 768-781.
[18]	H. Zhu and R. J. Kee. The influence of current collection on the performance of tubular anode-supported SOFC cells. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 169, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 315-326.
[19]	H. Zhu, R. J. Kee, V. M. Janardhanan, O. Deutschmann, and D. G. Goodwin. Modeling elementary heterogeneous chemistry and electrochemistry in solid-oxide fuel cells. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Volume 152, Issue 12, 2005, Pages A2427-A2440.
[20]	G. Narasimhaiah and V. M. Janardhanan. Modeling CO2 electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cell. Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry, Volume 17, Issue 8, 2013, Pages 2361-2370.
[21]	V. Menon, V. M. Janardhanan, and O. Deutschmann. A mathematical model to analyze solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs) for hydrogen production. Chemical Engineering Science, Volume 110, 2014, Pages 83-93.
[22]	V. Menon, V. M. Janardhanan, and O. Deutschmann. Modeling of solid-oxide electrolyser cells: From H2, CO electrolysis to co-electrolysis. ECS Transactions, Volume 57, Issue 1, 2013, Pages 3207-3216.
[23]	L. Maier, B. Schädel, K. Herrera Delgado, S. Tischer, and O. Deutschmann. Steam reforming of methane over nickel: Development of a multi-step surface reaction mechanism. Topics in Catalysis, Volume 54, Issue 13, 2011, Pages 845-858.
[24]	V. M. Janardhanan and O. Deutschmann. CFD analysis of a solid oxide fuel cell with internal reforming: Coupled interactions of transport, heterogeneous catalysis and electrochemical processes. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 162, Issue 2, 2006, Pages 1192-1202.
[25]	V. M. Janardhanan and O. Deutschmann. Numerical study of mass and heat transport in solid-oxide fuel cells running on humidified methane. Chemical Engineering Science, Volume 62, Issues 18-20, 2007, Pages 5473-5486.
[26]	P. Deuflhard, E. Hairer, and J. Zugck. One-step and extrapolation methods for differential-algebraic systems. Numerische Mathematik, Volume 51, Issue 5, 1987, Pages 501-516.
[27]	O. Deutschmann, S. Tischer, C. Correa, D. Chatterjee, S. Kleditzsch, V. M. Janardhanan, N. Mladenov, H. D. Minh, H. Karadeniz, and M. Hettel. DETCHEM Software package, 2.5 ed., Karlsruhe, 2014, www.detchem.com.
[28]	J. R. Ferguson, J. M. Fiard, and R. Herbin. Three-dimensional numerical simulation for various geometries of solid oxide fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 58, Issue 2, 1996, Pages 109-122.
[29]	J. Xu and G. F. Froment. Methane steam reforming, methanation and water-gas shift: I. intrinsic kinetics. AIChE Journal, Volume 35, Issue 1, 1989, Pages 88-96.
[30]	P. Aguiar, E. Ramírez-Cabrera, N. Laosiripojana, A. Atkinson, L. S. Kershenbaum, and D. Chadwick. Oxide catalysts in indirect internal steam reforming of methane in SOFC. Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis, Volume 145, 2003, Pages 387-390.
[31]	K. Ahmed, L. Kershenbaum, and D. Chadwick. Sintering effects in a nickel-alumina catalyst. Chemical Engineering Science, Volume 44, Issue 4, 1989, Pages 999-1000.
[32]	P. Aguiar, N. Lapeña-Rey, D. Chadwick, and L. Kershenbaum. Improving catalyst structures and reactor configurations for autothermal reaction systems: application to solid oxide fuel cells. Chemical Engineering Science, Volume 56, Issue 2, January 2001, Pages 651-658.
[33]	E. Ramı́rez-Cabrera, A. Atkinson, and D. Chadwick. The influence of point defects on the resistance of ceria to carbon deposition in hydrocarbon catalysis. Solid State Ionics, Volumes 136-137, 2000, Pages 825-831.
[34]	P. Aguiar, E. Ramírez-Cabrera, N. Lapeña-Rey, A. Atkinson, L. S. Kershenbaum, and D. Chadwick. Indirect internal steam reforming of methane in solid oxide fuel cells. Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis, Volume 136, 2001, Pages 501-506.
[35]	S. A. Hajimolana, M. A. Hussain, W. M. A. Wan Daud, M. Soroush, A. Shamiri. Mathematical modeling of solid oxide fuel cells: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 15, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 1893-1917.
[36]	P. Aguiar, D. Chadwick, and L. Kershenbaum. Dynamic effects in autothermal systems: application to a coated-wall internally reformed solid oxide fuel cell. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, Volume 82, Issue 2, 2004, Pages 259-266.
[37]	E. Achenbach. Three-dimensional and time-dependent simulation of a planar solid oxide fuel cell stack. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 49, Issues 1-3, 1994, Pages 333-348.
[38]	L. Zhang, Y. Xing, H. Xu, H. Wang, J. Zhong, and J. Xuan. Comparative study of solid oxide fuel cell combined heat and power system with Multi-Stage Exhaust Chemical Energy Recycling: Modeling, experiment and optimization. Energy Conversion and Management, Volume 139, 2017, Pages 79-88.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Junjie Chen, Xuhui Gao. (2017). Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems. American Journal of Modern Energy, 3(3), 38-49. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Junjie Chen; Xuhui Gao. Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems. Am. J. Mod. Energy 2017, 3(3), 38-49. doi: 10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Junjie Chen, Xuhui Gao. Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems. Am J Mod Energy. 2017;3(3):38-49. doi: 10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11,
  author = {Junjie Chen and Xuhui Gao},
  title = {Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems},
  journal = {American Journal of Modern Energy},
  volume = {3},
  number = {3},
  pages = {38-49},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajme.20170303.11},
  abstract = {The operation of solid oxide fuel cell systems with the internal steam reforming of methane over supported nickel catalysts is studied. A mathematical model including heterogeneous chemistry, electro-chemistry, mass transport, and porous media transport is developed to explore the thermal energy coupling between the steam reforming and the electrochemical reactions, independent of the geometrical structure. The role of catalyst activity, inlet temperature, current density, and operating pressure in the system behavior is evaluated. A sensitivity analysis is also performed for different design parameters. The effect of flow configuration on the operation of the system is analyzed and compared based on multiple performance criteria. It is shown that the internal steam reforming within the fuel cell system can result in an overall auto-thermal operation which increases efficiency and simplifies the design process. However, a local cooling effect may occur close to the entrance of the reformer. The use of less active catalysts can cause the slippage of the methane. To reduce both the overall temperature increase across the fuel cell and the local cooling caused by the endothermic steam reforming reactions, increasing the operating pressure is found to be an effective approach. High system efficiency is obtained with increasing the operating pressure or decreasing the current density. The more efficient system is found for a co-flow configuration, while significant temperature gradients near the entrance of the reformer are not desirable for ceramic solid oxide fuel cell systems.},
 year = {2017}
}

Copy | Download

TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems
AU - Junjie Chen
AU - Xuhui Gao
Y1 - 2017/06/30
PY - 2017
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11
DO - 10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11
T2 - American Journal of Modern Energy
JF - American Journal of Modern Energy
JO - American Journal of Modern Energy
SP - 38
EP - 49
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2575-3797
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11
AB - The operation of solid oxide fuel cell systems with the internal steam reforming of methane over supported nickel catalysts is studied. A mathematical model including heterogeneous chemistry, electro-chemistry, mass transport, and porous media transport is developed to explore the thermal energy coupling between the steam reforming and the electrochemical reactions, independent of the geometrical structure. The role of catalyst activity, inlet temperature, current density, and operating pressure in the system behavior is evaluated. A sensitivity analysis is also performed for different design parameters. The effect of flow configuration on the operation of the system is analyzed and compared based on multiple performance criteria. It is shown that the internal steam reforming within the fuel cell system can result in an overall auto-thermal operation which increases efficiency and simplifies the design process. However, a local cooling effect may occur close to the entrance of the reformer. The use of less active catalysts can cause the slippage of the methane. To reduce both the overall temperature increase across the fuel cell and the local cooling caused by the endothermic steam reforming reactions, increasing the operating pressure is found to be an effective approach. High system efficiency is obtained with increasing the operating pressure or decreasing the current density. The more efficient system is found for a co-flow configuration, while significant temperature gradients near the entrance of the reformer are not desirable for ceramic solid oxide fuel cell systems.
VL - 3
IS - 3
ER -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Junjie Chen

Department of Energy and Power Engineering, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
Xuhui Gao

Department of Energy and Power Engineering, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Junjie Chen, Xuhui Gao. (2017). Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems. American Journal of Modern Energy, 3(3), 38-49. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Junjie Chen; Xuhui Gao. Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems. Am. J. Mod. Energy 2017, 3(3), 38-49. doi: 10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Junjie Chen, Xuhui Gao. Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems. Am J Mod Energy. 2017;3(3):38-49. doi: 10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11,
  author = {Junjie Chen and Xuhui Gao},
  title = {Effect of Design Parameters on the Internal Steam Reforming of Methane in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems},
  journal = {American Journal of Modern Energy},
  volume = {3},
  number = {3},
  pages = {38-49},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20170303.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajme.20170303.11},
  abstract = {The operation of solid oxide fuel cell systems with the internal steam reforming of methane over supported nickel catalysts is studied. A mathematical model including heterogeneous chemistry, electro-chemistry, mass transport, and porous media transport is developed to explore the thermal energy coupling between the steam reforming and the electrochemical reactions, independent of the geometrical structure. The role of catalyst activity, inlet temperature, current density, and operating pressure in the system behavior is evaluated. A sensitivity analysis is also performed for different design parameters. The effect of flow configuration on the operation of the system is analyzed and compared based on multiple performance criteria. It is shown that the internal steam reforming within the fuel cell system can result in an overall auto-thermal operation which increases efficiency and simplifies the design process. However, a local cooling effect may occur close to the entrance of the reformer. The use of less active catalysts can cause the slippage of the methane. To reduce both the overall temperature increase across the fuel cell and the local cooling caused by the endothermic steam reforming reactions, increasing the operating pressure is found to be an effective approach. High system efficiency is obtained with increasing the operating pressure or decreasing the current density. The more efficient system is found for a co-flow configuration, while significant temperature gradients near the entrance of the reformer are not desirable for ceramic solid oxide fuel cell systems.},
 year = {2017}
}

Copy | Download