Internal temperature prediction and control strategy design of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell for hot start-up process

Abstract

Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has a high energy efficiency while suffering from a poor transient performance such as start-up. In this study, a model-based design method is proposed to develop a suitable strategy for the rapid hot start-up of anode-supported SOFC (AS-SOFC). First, a mathematical model is established for a 25-kW SOFC system and the internal temperature is predicted. Subsequently, three different strategies are compared during hot start-up process. The results indicate that the positive-electrolyte-negative (PEN) temperature variation magnitude is 50 K and the response time is 1300 s when the hydrogen and the air flow rates are fixed for the afterburner and the cathode. If a PID controller is employed to regulate the flow rate of H₂ to the afterburner, the PEN temperature variation magnitude decreases to 16 K with a shorter response time of 158 s. When increasing the air flow rate synchronously, the PEN temperature variation magnitude is merely 8 K, reduced by 84 % and 50 % compared with the previous strategies. Additionally, the gas temperature exiting from the afterburner declines significantly for the third control strategy. Thus, the lifetime and reliability of AS-SOFC is enhanced. The results provide a reference for the SOFC systems control such as domestic combined heat and power (CHP) and mobile applications.