Long-Term Predictive Analysis and Control Strategies Development for μ-CHP SOFC System

Global warming and the urgent need for renewable energy necessitate advancements in efficient and durable energy systems. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer a promising solution due to their high efficiency and flexibility. However, managing SOFC degradation to ensure prolonged life and optimal performance remains a critical challenge. This thesis addresses these issues through several steps. First, it integrates a degradation model and a techno-economic model into an existing 0-D model for catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX)-based SOFC system. Various end-of-life (EoL) criteria were tested using three health indicators: power, voltage, and cumulative energy, optimized under different control strategies. Three control strategies were analyzed: fixing power, voltage, or stack temperature over time. Predictive analysis through single-objective optimization revealed that: fixing power maintained stable performance but required frequent voltage adjustments, leading to high energy production and significant degradation. Fixing voltage provided the longest life expectancy, effectively minimizing degradation. Fixing temperature showed high efficiency but less stability due to a lack of direct constraints on voltage, current, or power. A multi-objective optimization (MOO) approach assessed trade-offs between minimizing degradation and maximizing electrical efficiency with fixed system inputs over time. The best trade-off was found by balancing each system variable, revealing interestingtrends in CPOX air flow rate and current over time. Dynamic operation analysis confirmed the robustness of the predictive model under real-world conditions. The techno-economic optimization demonstrated profitability, while the degradation minimization scenario extended life expectancy threefold compared to others. This thesis introduces a comprehensive predictive analysis. The integration of detailed modeling, optimization, and control strategies offers a solid foundation for future research, providing valuable tools to enhance the performance, efficiency, and durability of SOFC systems in sustainable energy applications.