An Electrochemical Model of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Using Experimental Data for Validation of Material Properties

This paper reports an electrochemical model of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell where the model is compared against experimental data using the results from a button cell electrical test. The model fits the experimental data reasonably well using material properties found in the literature. Some of the material properties were used as fitted parameters to improve the fit, and their values compared with reported measured values. Further, cell polarization losses are explored to determine which one influences the voltage-current density characteristics the most. In comparing the material properties found in the literature with the one appropriate for the model curve fit to the experimental results, some discrepancies were observed. Hence, a better methodology is needed to understand the actual cell behavior and where improvements are needed. The method developed here is very useful for a commercial supplier of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells where button cells taken from a batch can be used to determine how good the cells are before they are installed in a stack.