Title:
Computational characterization of diffusive mass transfer in porous solid oxide fuel cell components

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dc.contributor.advisor Haynes, Comas
dc.contributor.advisor Wepfer, William J.
dc.contributor.author Nelson, George J. en_US
dc.contributor.committeeMember Fedorov, Anei
dc.contributor.committeeMember Liu, Meilin
dc.contributor.committeeMember Paredis, Chris
dc.contributor.committeeMember Teja, Amyn
dc.contributor.department Mechanical Engineering en_US
dc.date.accessioned 2010-01-29T19:37:51Z
dc.date.available 2010-01-29T19:37:51Z
dc.date.issued 2009-10-21 en_US
dc.description.abstract Diffusive mass transport within porous SOFC components is explored using two modeling approaches that can better inform the SOFC electrode design process. These approaches include performance metrics for electrode cross-sectional design and a fractal approach for modeling mass transport within the pore structure of the electrode reaction zone. The performance metrics presented are based on existing analytical models for transport within SOFC electrodes. These metrics include a correction factor for button-cell partial pressure predictions and two forms of dimensionless reactant depletion current density. The performance impacts of multi-dimensional transport phenomena are addressed through the development of design maps that capture the trade-offs inherent in the reduction of mass transport losses within SOFC electrode cross-sections. As a complement to these bulk electrode models, a fractal model is presented for modeling diffusion within the electrochemically active region of an SOFC electrode. The porous electrode is separated into bulk and reaction zone regions, with the bulk electrode modeled in one-dimension based on the dusty-gas formalism. The reaction zone is modeled in detail with a two-dimensional finite element model using a regular Koch pore cross-section as a fractal template for the pore structure. Drawing on concepts from the analysis of porous catalysts, this model leads to a straightforward means of assessing the performance impacts of reaction zone microstructure. Together, the modeling approaches presented provide key insights into the impacts of bulk and microstructural geometry on the performance of porous SOFC components. en_US
dc.description.degree Ph.D. en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/1853/31660
dc.publisher Georgia Institute of Technology en_US
dc.subject Multiscale modeling en_US
dc.subject Fractals en_US
dc.subject Solid oxide fuel cell en_US
dc.subject Porous media en_US
dc.subject Diffusion en_US
dc.subject Transport phenomena en_US
dc.subject.lcsh Solid oxide fuel cells
dc.subject.lcsh Mass transfer
dc.subject.lcsh Thermal diffusivity
dc.title Computational characterization of diffusive mass transfer in porous solid oxide fuel cell components en_US
dc.type Text
dc.type.genre Dissertation
dspace.entity.type Publication
local.contributor.corporatename George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
local.contributor.corporatename College of Engineering
relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication c01ff908-c25f-439b-bf10-a074ed886bb7
relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication 7c022d60-21d5-497c-b552-95e489a06569
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