The LIBPF FC (Fuel Cell) module is an extension to LIBPF to support fuel cell and fuel cell system modeling.
The development of this module was supported from Università di Genova's PERT group.
With respect to the core modeling features of LIBPF, the LIBPF FC adds:
- Distributed parameters unit operations: generic multi-stage 2-D unit, with spiral, co-, cross- or counter-flow pattern;
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Fuel cell model with 2 or more streams, each supporting multiple equilibrium or fixed conversion reactions; one or more electrochemical reactions supported.
Modeling Features
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Steady state simulation of fuel cells as well as fuel cell power generation systems
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Detailed 2D simulation of fuel cell, supports co-flow, cross-flow, counter-flow, spiral flow patterns
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Simplified simulation of fuel cell, supports voltage correction maps to reproduce results of detailed model
- Reactive heat exchangers with equilibrium or partial equilibrium reactions
Detailed 2D Simulation of the Fuel Cell
Sample solid temperature field for an industrial-size MCFC (Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell):
Supported flow patterns
The flow pattern of the anode and cathode gases can be set easily using a simple symbology, whereby:
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the blue color indicates a source is located in the cell |
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the red color indicates a sink is located in the cell |
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the arrows indicate the direction of the flow coming out of the cell |
An example of cross-flow pattern:
An example of co-cross-flow spiral pattern:
Simulation of fuel cell power generation systems
Static or dynamic simulation of entire fuel cell power generation systems
can be performed with LIBPF. All key unit operations are modeled, including reactive heat exchangers, compressor, fuel cell; typically with a concentrated parameters approach.
