Paper Title
THERMODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS
Abstract
Abstract - Fuel Cells are the only source of electric energy which don’t pollute the environment. The fuel cells require Hydrogen and Oxygen, which combine electrochemically to provide electric current, heat energy and water. Fuel Cells are the green energy source, leading to zero polluting emissions. A fuel cell, as compared to ICE or BEV, has much higher performance and well-to-wheel efficiency. A fuel cell when integrated with a powertrain provides all these benefits which are required in an automotive application. Hydrogen being the fuel for energy generation, an FCEV can be refueled in a short time and provides a higher range than a BEV whose charging time is relatively longer. There are many fuel cells which have been the source of power in automotive application, however, SOFC scores many positives over others. Despite Solid Oxide Fuel Cells having ahigh operating temperature, they can operate with a variety of fuels containing Hydrogen inside. The fuels for an SOFC may include syngas, biogas, coal gas, propane or natural gas.Unlike PEMFC, SOFC is not sensitive to fuel impurities. This leads to higher SOFC performance and greater efficiency.An SOFC operating at a high temperature is not likely to use expensive catalysts for necessary ionic reactions required inside. However, the heat up time or start up time must be relatively low in an automobile integrated with SOFC powertrain.This paper evaluates heat up or start up time in an SOFC, coupled with the powertrain in automotive application.
Keywords - Fuel Cell, SOFC, Over Potential, Power, Performance, Thermodynamics, Efficiency