Integrated dynamic modeling of reformer - SOFC systems: Novel approaches for fundamental micro scale and system level simulations

Abstract

Novel approaches for the rigorous dynamic modeling of reformer - fuel cell systems are presented in this paper. Detailed analysis of various micro-scale transport phenomena accounting for mass and energy transport with coupled chemical reactions is carried out for modeling a methane reformer-combustor unit as part of an integrated fuel processing system currently under development at Nu Element for on-board reforming of logistics fuels for the U. S. Navy. Results from the implementations of these models in FEMLAB® are presented, followed by discussions of recent work on exporting of these; models into Simulink® within MATLAB® for carrying out detailed dynamic studies. The Simulink interface is compatible with a broad range of programming tools and thus allows for integration of the models of different parts of the complete reformer - fuel cell system. This allows the user complete flexibility over the choice of the most appropriate simulation platform for each individual module. This approach also permits the seamless integration of existing SOFC models coded directly into Simulink® with the detailed reformer models described in this paper, thus opening the path for a truly flexible simulation platform for the dynamic study of reformer based fuel cell power systems.