Evaluating the effect of flow configuration on the performance and thermal stress of solid oxide electrolysis cell

Abstract

The flow field is one of the important factors affecting the electrolytic performance of solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC). In this paper, a comprehensive three-dimensional SOEC single cell model is established, and its cathode flow configuration is evaluated numerically. Comparing with the electrolytic behavior of parallel flow field, cross flow field, and serpentine flow field, the rotary L-type flow field shows better performance. It has good gas distribution ability, enhances mass transfer, and thus improves electrolytic performance, while achieves a more uniform velocity and temperature distribution. In addition, the average first principal stress of the cathode, electrolyte and anode in the rotary L-type flow field is the smallest respectively, but the maximum first principal stress of the cathode, electrolyte and anode in the parallel flow field is the smallest respectively. The value and distribution of stress is not only affected by temperature gradient, but also related to the flow configurations.