A solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure

Abstract

This utility model discloses a solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure, including a connecting plate (1), on which gas channels (2) and gas flow channels (3) are provided. The gas flow channels (3) are located between the gas channels (2), and a gas distribution guide block (4) is provided between the gas channels (2) and the gas flow channels (3). The connecting plate (1) is provided with independent flow channels to accurately deliver fuel gas and oxidant to the anode and cathode respectively, strictly isolating them to avoid mixing. These channels are connected to the gas inlet of the anode or cathode. After the gas enters the connecting plate (1) from the external gas source, it is evenly distributed to each reaction area through the reasonable layout and design of the channels. The gas entering through the gas channels (2) passes through the guide block (4) and is evenly distributed by the guide block (4), so that the gas can be evenly distributed at the end of the gas flow channel (3) after passing through the guide block (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fuel cell technology. Specifically, this utility model relates to a solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure. Background Technology

[0002] Solid oxide fuel cell stacks connect individual cells in series via connectors. These connectors perform multiple functions in SOFCs, such as electrical connection (requiring multiple cells to be connected in series or parallel to increase voltage and power), establishing electron transport paths, gas distribution (isolating fuel gases (such as hydrogen and methane) from oxidizing gases (such as air), ensuring uniform gas distribution to the electrode surface through flow channel design), and sealing and thermal management (preventing gas leakage and maintaining thermal expansion matching at high operating temperatures (typically 600–800°C) to avoid structural failure due to stress concentration).

[0003] A patent application (patent number 201410124367.4, published on April 26, 2017) discloses a battery connector for a planar solid oxide fuel cell stack. The connector includes a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, an oxidizing gas inlet, and an oxidizing gas inlet / outlet. An edge sealing area is provided at the edge of the connector. Cathode and anode channels are located on opposite sides of the connector. The fuel inlet and fuel outlet are connected to the anode channel, and the oxidizing gas inlet and outlet are connected to the cathode channel. The anode and cathode channels are parallel, and the fuel inlet and oxidizing gas inlet are located on the same side or opposite sides of the connector. The oxidizing gas in the cathode and anode channels flows in the same or opposite direction to the fuel gas, resulting in uniform overall heat generation and a smaller overall temperature gradient in the planar solid oxide fuel cell stack, thus improving its power output.

[0004] Traditional connectors often suffer from uneven gas distribution, which can easily lead to gas stagnation or concentration, resulting in local temperature differences and uneven current density, thus reducing overall efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure that can uniformly distribute gas.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure, including a connecting plate, wherein the connecting plate is provided with a gas channel and a gas flow channel, the gas flow channel is located between the gas channels, and a gas-distributing guide block is provided between the gas channels and the gas flow channel.

[0007] The gas channel is divided into an anode channel and a cathode channel, which are respectively arranged on the four sides of the connecting plate. The anode channel and the cathode channel are arranged symmetrically.

[0008] The front and rear surfaces of the connecting plate are provided with grooves, the gas channel and gas flow channel are arranged inside the grooves, and the guide block is arranged inside the grooves.

[0009] The grooves are respectively an anode groove and a cathode groove, which are arranged on the front and rear sides of the connecting plate. The anode channel is distributed at both ends of the anode groove, and the cathode channel is distributed at both ends of the cathode groove.

[0010] The guide blocks are arranged in three rows, and the guide blocks are evenly distributed between the gas channel and the gas flow channel.

[0011] The size of each row of the guide blocks is different, and the guide blocks gradually decrease in size from the gas channel to the gas flow channel.

[0012] The guide block is located in the middle of an adjacent row of guide blocks in the vertical direction.

[0013] The gas channels are uniformly distributed in a linear array.

[0014] The technical advantages of this invention are as follows: the connecting plate is equipped with independent flow channels to accurately deliver fuel gas and oxidant to the anode and cathode respectively, strictly isolating them to avoid mixing. These channels are connected to the gas inlet of the anode or cathode. After the gas enters the connecting plate from the external gas source, it is evenly distributed to each reaction area through the reasonable layout and design of the channels. Attached Figure Description

[0015] This manual includes the following figures, which illustrate the following:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a solid oxide fuel cell stack connector according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cathode channel of a solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure.

[0018] The markings in the diagram are: 1. Connecting plate; 2. Gas channel; 21. Anode channel; 22. Cathode channel; 3. Gas flow channel; 4. Guide block; 5. Groove; 51. Anode groove; 52. Cathode groove. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in order to help those skilled in the art to have a more complete, accurate and in-depth understanding of the utility model concept and technical solution, and to facilitate its implementation.

[0020] Please see Figures 1-2 A solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure includes a connecting plate 1, on which gas channels 2 and gas flow channels 3 are provided. The gas flow channels 3 are located between the gas channels 2, and a guide block 4 for uniformly distributing gas is provided between the gas channels 2 and the gas flow channels 3. Independent flow channels are set inside the connecting plate 1 to accurately deliver fuel gas and oxidant to the anode and cathode respectively, strictly isolating them to avoid mixing. These channels are connected to the gas inlet of the anode or cathode. After the gas enters the connecting plate 1 from the external gas source, it is evenly distributed to each reaction area through the reasonable layout and design of the channels. The gas introduced into the gas channel 2 moves along the surface of the connecting plate 1. The gas passes through the guide block 4, and the guide block 4 evenly distributes the gas, so that the gas can be evenly distributed at the end of the gas flow channel 3 after passing through the guide block 4. This allows the gas to flow evenly into the gas flow channel 3, ensuring a more uniform gas concentration in the gas flow channel 3, reducing concentration difference polarization loss, reducing the problem of uneven gas distribution, preventing gas stagnation or concentration, and improving the smoothness of gas flow.

[0021] The gas channel 2 is divided into an anode channel 21 and a cathode channel 22. The anode channel 21 and the cathode channel 22 are respectively arranged on the four sides of the connecting plate 1. The anode channel 21 is symmetrically arranged, and the cathode channel 22 is symmetrically arranged. The anode channel 21 and the cathode channel 22 are arranged in pairs symmetrically. The flow area of ​​the anode gas and the flow area of ​​the cathode gas are in a cross shape. This realizes the gas supply flow structure of the anode and cathode on a single connecting plate 1, which can effectively save materials, simplify the volume of the overall structure, and reduce costs.

[0022] The front and rear surfaces of the connecting plate 1 are provided with grooves 5, the gas channel 2 and the gas flow channel 3 are set inside the grooves 5, and the guide block 4 is set inside the grooves 5; the gas released from the gas channel 2 will only flow inside the grooves 5 and will not overflow.

[0023] The grooves 5 are respectively the anode groove 51 and the cathode groove 52. The anode groove 51 and the cathode groove 52 are arranged on the front and rear sides of the connecting plate 1. The anode channel 21 is distributed at both ends of the anode groove 51, and the cathode channel 22 is distributed at both ends of the cathode groove 52. The anode groove 51 and the cathode groove 52 on the front and rear sides are used to supply gas flow to the anode and cathode respectively.

[0024] The guide blocks 4 are arranged in three rows, evenly distributed between the gas channel 2 and the gas flow channel 3. These three rows of guide blocks 4 can better distribute the airflow, improve the quality of distribution, and form a tree-like network. Through multi-stage gas branch flow paths, the gas coverage area is increased, enhancing the uniformity of gas distribution within the gas flow channel 3 of the connecting plate 1. The branch flow path has three stages, with the density of the final stage channel increasing by 50%-100% compared to the first stage.

[0025] Each row of guide blocks 4 has a different size, gradually decreasing in size from gas channel 2 to gas flow channel 3. All guide blocks 4 are designed to be circular to reduce gas flow resistance, improve gas transmission efficiency, and reduce gas stagnation at corners, which can lead to large local concentration gradients and uneven gas distribution. The diameter of each circular protrusion is smaller than that of the previous one, ensuring that there is enough space in the multi-level branch flow channels to meet gas transport needs, making the concentration gradient between fuel gas and oxidant more uniform, reducing concentration polarization loss. The large-diameter protrusion bears the main flow resistance in the inlet section, reducing velocity impact. The progressively smaller protrusions gradually release resistance, reducing the overall flow resistance by 10% to 15% compared to a uniform distribution design, thus reducing the uneven flow velocity in different areas of gas transport.

[0026] The guide block 4 is located in the middle of an adjacent row of guide blocks 4 in the vertical direction; so that the airflow passing through the previous row can collide with the guide block 4 when passing through the next row, achieving the purpose of graded and evenly distributed airflow and gradually subdividing the airflow.

[0027] The gas channels 3 are evenly distributed in a linear array; the gas channels 3 cooperate with the guide block 4 to distribute the gas as evenly as possible inside the connecting plate 1.

[0028] Working Principle: Independent gas channels 3 are set inside the connecting plate 1 to precisely deliver fuel gas (H2 / CH4) and oxidant air / O2 to the anode and cathode respectively, ensuring strict isolation and preventing mixing. These gas channels 3 are connected to the inlets of the anode or cathode. After entering the connecting plate 1 from an external gas source, the gas is evenly distributed to each reaction area through the rational layout and design of the channels. For example, fuel gas enters the connecting plate 1 from the outside through the anode channel 21 and passes through the three-stage gas guide block 4, allowing the fuel gas to enter the fuel gas channel 3 evenly, thus providing sufficient fuel for the electrochemical reaction on the anode. After the reaction, the gas flows back into the anode channel 21 through the three-stage gas guide block 4 and exits from the connecting plate 1. The connecting plate 1 also has corresponding gas channels 2 to deliver oxidizing gas to the cathode. Air enters the connecting plate 1 from the outside through the cathode channel 22 and is then distributed to the cathode surface, ensuring sufficient oxygen in the cathode area to participate in the electrochemical reaction. Air exits the connecting plate 1 through the cathode channel 22.

[0029] The technical effect of this utility model is as follows: the connecting plate 1 is provided with independent flow channels, which accurately deliver fuel gas and oxidant to the anode and cathode respectively, strictly isolate them to avoid mixing. These channels are connected to the gas inlet of the anode or cathode. After the gas enters the connecting plate 1 from the external gas source, it is evenly distributed to each reaction area through the reasonable layout and design of the channels.

[0030] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention; or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure, characterized by: It includes a connecting plate (1), on which a gas channel (2) and a gas flow channel (3) are provided. The gas flow channel (3) is located between the gas channels (2), and a gas guide block (4) for uniformly distributing gas is provided between the gas channels (2) and the gas flow channel (3).

2. A solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure according to claim 1, characterised in that: The gas channel (2) is divided into an anode channel (21) and a cathode channel (22). The anode channel (21) and the cathode channel (22) are respectively arranged on the four sides of the connecting plate (1). The anode channel (21) is symmetrically arranged and the cathode channel (22) is symmetrically arranged.

3. A solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure according to claim 2, characterised in that: The front and rear surfaces of the connecting plate (1) are provided with grooves (5), the gas channel (2) and the gas flow channel (3) are arranged inside the grooves (5), and the guide block (4) is arranged inside the grooves (5).

4. A solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure according to claim 3, characterised in that: The grooves (5) are respectively an anode groove (51) and a cathode groove (52). The anode groove (51) and the cathode groove (52) are arranged on the front and rear sides of the connecting plate (1). The anode channel (21) is distributed at both ends of the anode groove (51), and the cathode channel (22) is distributed at both ends of the cathode groove (52).

5. The structure of a solid oxide fuel cell stack connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide block (4) is arranged in three rows, and the guide block (4) is evenly distributed between the gas channel (2) and the gas flow channel (3).

6. A solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure according to claim 5, characterised in that: The size of each row of the guide blocks (4) is different, and the guide blocks (4) gradually become smaller from the gas channel (2) to the gas flow channel (3).

7. A solid oxide fuel cell stack connector structure according to claim 1, 5, or 6, characterized in that: The guide block (4) is located in the middle of an adjacent row of guide blocks (4) in the vertical direction.

8. The structure of a solid oxide fuel cell stack connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas channels (3) are uniformly distributed in a linear array.

Images