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A robust model and numerical approach for solving solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) problems

F. Arpino (Dipartimento di Meccanica, Strutture, Ambiente e Territorio, Università degli Studi di Cassino, Cassino, Italy)
A. Carotenuto (Dipartimento per le tecnologie, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, Naples, Italy)
N. Massarotti (Dipartimento per le tecnologie, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, Naples, Italy)
P. Nithiarasu (Civil and Computational Engineering, University of Wales Swansea, Swansea, UK)

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow

ISSN: 0961-5539

Article publication date: 19 September 2008

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a robust mathematical model and finite element‐based numerical approach to solve solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) problems.

Design/methodology/approach

A robust mathematical model is constructed by studying pros and cons of different SOFC and other fuel cell models. The finite element‐based numerical approach presented is a unified approach to solve multi‐disciplinary aspects arising from SOFC problems. The characteristic‐based split approach employed here is an efficient way of solving various flow, heat and mass transfer regimes in SOFCs.

Findings

The results presented show that both the model and numerical algorithm proposed are robust. Furthermore, the approaches proposed are general and can be easily extended to other similar problems of practical interest.

Originality/value

The model proposed is the first of this kind and the unified approach for solving flow, heat and mass transfer within a fuel cell is also novel.

Keywords

Citation

Arpino, F., Carotenuto, A., Massarotti, N. and Nithiarasu, P. (2008), "A robust model and numerical approach for solving solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) problems", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 18 No. 7/8, pp. 811-834. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530810898971

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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