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Numerical Analysis of Gas Flow Distribution Characteristics in a 5 kW Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Stack

Author

Listed:
  • Arkadiusz Szczęśniak

    (Institute of Heat Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-660 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Aliaksandr Martsinchyk

    (Institute of Heat Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-660 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Jarosław Milewski

    (Institute of Heat Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-660 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Pavel Shuhayeu

    (Institute of Heat Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-660 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Olaf Dybinski

    (Institute of Heat Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-660 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Arkadiusz Sieńko

    (Fuel Cell Poland sp. z o.o., 1 Moscickiego Street, 24-110 Pulawy, Poland)

  • Wen Xing

    (SINTEF, Materials and Chemistry, Forskningsveien 1, NO-0314 Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

This work presents an advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a 5 kW molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) stack intended to provide a broad analysis and deliver improved design through optimizing flow distribution. The goal is to provide a variant analysis of flow distribution in the internal channels through the CFD model. SolidWorks was used to design the MCFC stack, and SOLIDWORKS ® Flow Simulation was utilized to model the flow distribution inside the stack. The simulated stack was validated through an experimental investigation of a 5 kW MCFC stack, empirically measuring pressure and flow distribution in an experimental laboratory station optimized for multi-scale fuel cell stack testing. The test was designed to examine a variety of internal flow distribution factors. The verified CFD model was employed for sensitivity analysis on various scales. To enhance the design, the influence of stack and single-cell constructional characteristics on the 5 kW MCFC was investigated.

Suggested Citation

  • Arkadiusz Szczęśniak & Aliaksandr Martsinchyk & Jarosław Milewski & Pavel Shuhayeu & Olaf Dybinski & Arkadiusz Sieńko & Wen Xing, 2025. "Numerical Analysis of Gas Flow Distribution Characteristics in a 5 kW Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Stack," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:632-:d:1580014
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jae-Hyeong Yu & Chang-Whan Lee, 2020. "Effect of Cell Size on the Performance and Temperature Distribution of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Szczęśniak, Arkadiusz & Milewski, Jarosław & Szabłowski, Łukasz & Bujalski, Wojciech & Dybiński, Olaf, 2020. "Dynamic model of a molten carbonate fuel cell 1 kW stack," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    3. Kupecki, Jakub & Skrzypkiewicz, Marek & Motylinski, Konrad, 2018. "Variant analysis of the efficiency of industrial scale power station based on DC-SOFCs and DC-MCFCs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 292-298.
    4. Kyu-Seok Jung & Kai Zhang & Chang-Whan Lee, 2023. "Simulation of Internal Manifold-Type Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs) with Different Operating Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-18, March.
    5. Youchan Kim & Kisung Lim & Hassan Salihi & Seongku Heo & Hyunchul Ju, 2023. "The Effects of Stack Configurations on the Thermal Management Capabilities of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-20, December.
    6. Haoming Liu & Muhammad Yasir Ali Khan & Xiaoling Yuan, 2023. "Hybrid Maximum Power Extraction Methods for Photovoltaic Systems: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-64, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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