An approach to the understanding of the gas transport properties within reformate fueled Ni/YSZ solid oxide fuel cell anodes is presented. For this purpose, a transient finite-element model is developed and implemented in the software package COMSOL. Aim of our model is the simulation of electrochemical impedance spectra of reformate fueled anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells. The isothermal model represents one-dimensional gas transport and reforming chemistry through the two-layer anode toward the electrolyte interface. Porous-media transport within the anode support structure is represented by the Stefan-Maxwell model. Heterogeneous (catalytic reforming) chemistry on the Ni-surfaces is modeled with a global reaction mechanism. Charge-transfer chemistry at the electrode-electrolyte interface is modeled with a simple time-dependent rate equation. Output of the model is the transient, space-resolved prediction of the gas composition within the two-layer anode, from which impedance spectra can be simulated. As the model is capable to coherently calculate the complex coupling of species transport phenomena and reforming kinetics, the characteristics of the impedance spectra measured under reformate operation can be reproduced. After validation against experimental data, the simulation results are used to analyze the coupling of reforming chemistry and gas transport. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.