Performance and Transport Characteristics of Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with Connected-Rib Interconnectors
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Interconnector geometry strongly affects gas transport, polarization loss, and pressure drop in planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this study, four interconnector configurations were investigated for an anode-supported planar SOFC, including one conventional straight-rib interconnector and three connected-rib interconnectors, namely circular-rib(CI), rectangular-rib(RI), and triangular-rib(TI) designs. A three-dimensional multi-physics model coupling electric field, flow field, species transport, and temperature field was established and validated against experimental polarization data of the conventional straight-rib cell. To ensure a fair comparison, all interconnectors were designed with the same interconnector-electrode contact area. The effects of rib configuration on electrical performance, overpotential components, reactant distribution, velocity distribution, and pressure drop were systematically analyzed. At 800 °C, the peak power densities of CI-SOFC, RI-SOFC, and TI-SOFC increased by 4.9%, 9.7%, and 11.7%, respectively, compared with SI-SOFC. The connected-rib interconnectors mainly reduced cathode-side activation and concentration overpotentials by improving oxygen redistribution beneath the ribs. Among the four configurations, the TI-SOFC showed the highest power density and the strongest under-rib transport enhancement, while the RI-SOFC provided a better compromise between flow uniformity and pressure drop.
Source: Energies
DOI: 10.3390/en19153486
Authors: Haolong Li, Zixian Li, Boyan Chen, Wei Wang, Xuerui Zhang, Haijun Zhong
Institution: China National Petroleum Corporation (China)
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Funder: PetroChina Company Limited
Awards: G3933798344, G784604010
OpenAlex ID: W7170677898