Performance analysis of solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

Fuel Cells are the only source of electric energy which do not 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-towheel 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 a high 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.