A Two-Dimensional Numerical Study on the Effect of Radiation and Polarization Losses on the Temperature Distribution in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode

Abstract

High operating temperature of solid oxide hydrogen fuel cell electrodes (SOFCs) is mainly due to energy losses due to different polarization phenomena, represented by ohmic, concentric and activation polarizations. These polarizations lead to the generation of radiative phenomena in SOFCs. In this work, various phenomena of heat transfer by radiation are included, and then discuss the challenges that still exist in understanding, predicting and quantifying the effects of radiation in SOFC materials and systems. This can be done in one of two ways, either through experimental or numerical studies. Although, these phenomena witness a complexity due to their relation to the thermal aspect in addition to the electrochemical aspect, we concluded through the results of this research, according to the numerical treatment method of the resulting equations, that the presence of the values of the radiation limit never changes the temperature distribution field at the level of these poles. Hence, it is possible to neglect the effect of heat transfer by radiation on anode of a SOFC cell.