Characterizing the Performance of kW-Scale Multi-Stack Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Modules through Modeling

The development of commercial SOFC systems often utilizes models of a single representative SOFC stack to simulate the system’s prime mover. In practice, however, these representative single-stack SOFC models fail to consider effects due to the reality of multi-stack power modules needed to construct commercial-scale systems. Effects such as flow maldistribution, inter-stack heat transfer, and area-specific resistance (ASR) variation between stack units within a single module will create deviations in performance from a single stack-based system simulation. The following outlines efforts to consider these thermofluidic effects and the associated performance deviations of a novel 30kWe SOFC multi-stack module using models in the gPROMS Modelbuilder® environment. Specifically, the impacts of gas manifolding, heat loss, and stack placement are investigated, and their potential impacts are discussed.