Electrode gas channel support and method for forming internal channels

Abstract

A solid oxide fuel cell includes an anode layer, an electrolyte layer over the anode layer, and a cathode layer over the electrolyte layer, wherein at least one of the anode layer and the cathode layer defines at least one gas channel, the gas channel containing at least one support structure. The support structure can have a cross-sectional shape of an I-beam, an arch, a tube defining holes along its length, a porous cylinder, or a U-shaped brace. The support structure can be open at a portion of the gas channel most proximate to the electrolyte layer.

Description

[0001] related application [0002] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 61 / 203,105, filed December 17, 2008. [0003] The entire teaching of the above application is hereby incorporated by reference. Background technique [0004] A fuel cell is a device that generates electricity through chemical reactions. Among the different fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells use a hard, ceramic compound metal (eg, calcium or zirconium) oxide as the electrolyte. Typically in a solid oxide fuel cell, at the cathode an oxygen such as O 2 are reduced to oxygen ions (O 2- ), a fuel gas such as H at the anode 2 Gas is oxidized by these cations to form water. Fuel cells are generally designed as a stack whereby multiple subassemblies each comprising a cathode, an anode, and a solid electrolyte between the cathode and anode are assembled in series by connecting the cathode of one subassembly to the anode of another An electrical connection is made between th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The additional thermal processing necessary to bring all of the layers of the solid oxide fuel cell into good condition can cause the collapse of void volumes intended to serve as gas channels, which results in reduced delivery of oxygen or fuel to the electrodes and consequent Reduced efficiency of fuel cells

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