Effect of Continuous Electrolysis on the Power Generation Performance of a Microtubular Oxide Fuel Cell Using Intermediate Ring-Shaped Collector

Abstract

An anode-support microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (MTSOFC) using an intermediate ring-shaped electrode collector is simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics software to investigate current density distribution and mass transfer in both power generation and electrolysis modes. The cell is converted to power generation mode during continuous electrolysis, and the electrochemical performance of MTSOFC is tested to study the effect of electrolysis on the power generation performance. The power density output of the MTSOFC decreases from 250 to 150 mW cm⁻² after only 40 h of continuous electrolysis. The microstructural changes in different regions during operation are observed through posttest analysis conducted on the fuel inlet, electrochemical reaction concentration region, and fuel outlet of the microtubular cell. The local agglomeration of nickel occurs in the concentrated region of the electrochemical reaction, while the coarsening of nickel oxidation mainly takes place at the fuel inlet and outlet.