A comprehensive method for online condition monitoring of solid oxide fuel cells based on novel fast EIS evaluation is developed. The method evaluates parameters of the equivalent circuit model (ECM) of the cell or stack. In the case of a fault, the pattern of the ECM parameters changes compared to the normal condition. The method is demonstrated to accurately detect changes in fuel utilisation, which unattended may harm the cells. The method proved sensitive and significantly more efficient in terms of required perturbation compared to the state-of-the-art Total Harmonic Distortion analysis. The method will help manufacturers and end-users of solid oxide fuel cells to timely detect any issues with fuel supply. Hence the reliability of the systems and mean time to failure will be considerably extended. The method has attracted attention of our partners through new EU projects Ruby and Reactt.
COBISS.SI-ID: 48196099
A two-dimensional (2-D), microstructural model of a single, anode supported SOC was built. The purpose of this model is online estimation of the output voltage (or current) of SOC over simulated time. Due to this, the model has to be as simple as possible, whereas it need to embrace the microstructural properties of the porous anode and cathode layer, respectively. According the presented results, the model was found suitable for estimation of electrical performance over a longer time period, after which the output voltage of the cell severely decreases. The estimated electrical energy gain is about 37% lower than the electrical energy gain which could be expected if the SOC was non-degraded. Using the proposed model is beneficial to estimate actual electrical energy gain over the operated time, without performing costly tests.
COBISS.SI-ID: 33267495