Mathematical Modeling and Simulation for Optimization of IDEAL-Cell Performance

The IDEAL-Cell is an innovative SOFC concept, comprising the anodic part of a proton conducting fuel cell (i.e., anode and protonic electrolyte) and the cathodic part of a solid oxide fuel cell (i.e., cathode and anionic electrolyte), connected through a porous composite central membrane of proton conducting and anion conducting materials where water recombination reaction between protons and oxygen ions occurs. A mathematical model for the description of transport phenomena and reactions in steady-state conditions is presented. The model is based on charge and mass balances in a continuum approach. Simulations are performed considering negligible polarization resistances due to electrochemical activations in order to evaluate the maximum performance of the cell. Simulations show that the IDEAL-Cell performance is comparable to that provided by the current state of the art for proton conducting fuel cells, and it may be further improved by reducing ohmic losses with thinner layers.