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Title: Fundamental study of gas species transport in the oxygen electrode of solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells

Journal Article · · International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
 [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3]; ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
  2. National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States); Georgia Southern Univ., Statesboro, GA (United States)
  3. National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States); West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States)

A fundamental analysis of multicomponent gas transport models was performed in application to the oxygen electrodes of solid oxide cells. It is common practice to neglect the effect of pressure gradients within oxygen electrodes, even though a net molar flux at the electrolyte surface implies that a pressure gradient must exist. The influence of both Darcy velocity and Knudsen flux are considered in the context of ordinary (Fickian) diffusion, the dusty gas model, and the binary friction model. Comparisons between the models and different sets of assumptions are made via parametric studies on operating load, oxygen partial pressure, microstructural properties, and electrode thickness. Results show that the pressure gradient will have a significant impact on the oxygen concentration distribution and therefore the concentration overpotential. In electrolysis mode, pressure increases up to 1 atm are predicted, indicating that pressure at the electrode/electrolyte interface could contribute to electrode delamination. Additionally, it is found that Darcy's law is insufficient for calculating the pressure distribution without accounting for the flux due to Knudsen diffusion. Additionally, it is found that for the range of properties typical of oxygen electrodes, there is a negligibly small difference between the dusty gas model and binary friction model from a practical standpoint.

Research Organization:
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)
OSTI ID:
2473190
Journal Information:
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Journal Name: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Journal Issue: B Vol. 50; ISSN 0360-3199
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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