Fuel Cell Support Body Nickel Gradient Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell devices, when operation is stopped, oxygen-containing gas flowing into the support body through gas-flow passages can cause metallic nickel to oxidize, leading to sudden volume expansion and damage due to uniform nickel distribution along the support body's longitudinal direction.
Innovation Solution
The metallic nickel content is reduced at the first end portion of the support body's longitudinal direction compared to the central portion, with a lower porosity and smaller gas-flow passage diameters at the first end portion, minimizing oxygen-containing gas inflow and preventing volume expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform metallic nickel is distributed throughout the support body, then electrical conductivity is maintained, but damage occurs due to volume expansion when oxygen-containing gas causes oxidation at the first end portion
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is designed with non-uniform metallic nickel distribution, where the first end portion has lower metallic nickel content compared to the central portion. This local variation in material composition prevents oxidation damage at the first end portion while maintaining adequate electrical conductivity in the central region where fuel gas flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The support body is divided into distinct regions with different metallic nickel content characteristics: a first end portion with lower metallic nickel content to prevent oxidation damage, and a central portion with higher metallic nickel content to ensure electrical conductivity. This segmentation allows each region to fulfill its specific functional requirement.
2Reliability
If the support body structure is modified to prevent oxidation damage, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic nickel content parameter is varied spatially within the support body, creating a gradient or stepped distribution pattern. This parameter change approach allows the support body to exhibit different properties in different regions, preventing oxidation damage while maintaining a relatively simple monolithic structure that can be manufactured using conventional ceramic or metallic forming techniques.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively suppresses damage from volume expansion at the first end portion, maintaining structural integrity and electrical conductivity while preventing peeling between the support body and electrode layers.
Implementation Method 1
when an oxygen-containing gas flows into the support body from a first end portion of the support body in which the outlets of the gas-flow passages are provided, the metallic nickel in the first end portion of the support body may oxidize, resulting in a sudden volume expansion and causing damage
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
Object: Provided is a cell, a cell stack device, a module, and a module-containing device capable of suppressing the possibility of damage. Resolution means: A cell (10) includes a support body (1) having a pillar shape, containing nickel, and including a gas-flow passage (2) passing through an interior of the support body (1) in a longitudinal direction, a first end portion including an outlet of the gas-flow passage (2), and a second end portion including an inlet of the gas-flow passage (2); a first electrode layer (3) located upon the support body (1); a solid electrolyte layer (4) located upon the first electrode layer (3); and a second electrode layer (6) located upon the solid electrolyte layer (4). The support body (1) has a lower metallic nickel content at the first end portion than at a central portion in the longitudinal direction. As such, the cell (10) is capable of suppressing damage.