Electrochemical simulation of direct methanol solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), efficient and clean energy converters, typically use hydrogen, which has low energy density and transport challenges. Methanol (CH₃OH), with its high energy density and ease of storage, is an ideal alternative. This study uses a 3D multiphysics model in COMSOL to simulate methanol decomposition and the water-gas shift reaction, verifying model accuracy. The effects of temperature, porosity, and operating voltage on methanol SOFC performance were investigated. Results showed output current density increased from 13.60 kA·m⁻² to 14.05 kA·m⁻² as porosity rose from 0.2 to 0.7. As temperature increased from 873 K to 1273 K, current density rose from 72.54 kA·m⁻² to 37.89 kA·m⁻². Increasing anode thickness from 0.1 to 0.8 mm raised current density from 13.17 kA·m⁻² to 15.64 kA·m⁻². These findings provide theoretical foundations and data for optimizing methanol SOFC design and operation.