The effects of electrode thickness, electrolyte filling and current co
llector geometry on the performance of MCFC cathodes are investigated
by using a steady state mathematical model. A two-dimensional pseudo-h
omogeneous model for the three-phase system in the cathode is used, wh
ich includes the polarisation curves from the heterogeneous agglomerat
e model[1] as local source functions. The model takes into account the
potential distribution in the electrolyte and catalyst phase but negl
ects mass transport limitations in the gas phase. The simulations show
that, for cathodes with a finite electronic conductivity, there is a
substantial potential distribution perpendicular to the depth of the e
lectrode depending on the size of the gas holes in the current collect
or.