The Effects of Dynamic Dispatch on the Degradation and Lifetime of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems

Understanding mechanisms that affect degradation and durability of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks and systems is becoming increasingly important as systems are being deployed around the world. While the underlying mechanisms for degradation have not been completely clarified, a novel simulation approach that accounts for the state-of-the-art understanding and concurrent solution of the governing physics of several degradation mechanisms in the context of an operating SOFC system has been developed. The approach simulates a stack repeating unit with a model that includes a selection of degradation processes: the loss of ionic conductivity of the electrolyte material, the corrosion of the metallic interconnect (MIC), the growth of nickel particles and the chromium contamination of a lanthanum-strontium manganite-based cathode are implemented.