A steady-state and dynamic simulation tool for solid oxide fuel cell operation applications

A modular simulator of dynamic behaviour of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system, suitable for use as a training tool is presented in this article, as an alternative to expensive practical tests. This simulator, developed in Aspen Custom Modeller (ACM), captures all of the processes in an SOFC module: mass, energy, and charge balances, overpotentials, ohmic losses and electrochemical reaction kinetics. The challenges relevant to programming and mathematical skills needed for models deployment are minimised. Application of the simulator is demonstrated through i) a basic steady-state simulation and 1D optimisatin followed by estimation of the stack’s distributed variables and ii) illustration of the transient behaviour of the SOFC unit. Interpretation of SOFC operation dynamics, in particular, is emphasised to show the effectiveness of the simulator for training purposes and for laboratory demonstrations. The results show the key features of the SOFC module simulator for practical applications and for virtual laboratories. It also opens up opportunities for developing an in-built SOFC simulator module in a flowsheet simulation software such as Aspen Plus and Aspen HYSYS.