Fuel Cell Unit Raised Members Merge Spacer Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have complex structures requiring multiple components, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity, which hinders the cost-efficiency and scalability of fuel cell energy production.
Innovation Solution
A simplified metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell unit structure using a separator plate and a metal support plate with flanged perimeter features and shaped port features, eliminating the need for a separate spacer plate, thereby reducing the number of components and material usage while maintaining electrochemical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional metal-supported SOFC structure with multiple components (metal support plate, separator plate, and spacer plate) is used, then structural integrity and fluid volume definition are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer plate is merged with either the separator plate or metal support plate by forming raised members on one plate that mate with recesses in the other plate. This combines three separate components into two integrated components, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the fluid volume definition and structural integrity functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator plate or metal support plate is given multiple functions: it serves as both a separator and as a spacer by including integrated raised members. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for a separate spacer plate, reducing the total component count while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Reliability
If a conventional metal-supported SOFC structure with multiple components is used, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the spacer plate with the separator plate or metal support plate through integrated raised members and recesses, the number of components to be manufactured is reduced from three to two. This reduces total manufacturing cost while maintaining structural integrity through the raised member-recess connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator plate or metal support plate performs multiple functions (separation and spacing) simultaneously, reducing the total component count and associated manufacturing costs while maintaining all necessary structural functions.
3Reliability
If a conventional metal-supported SOFC structure with multiple components is used, then fluid volume definition is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer plate is merged with the separator plate or metal support plate, reducing the total amount of material used. The raised members and recesses maintain fluid volume definition while using less material than three separate plates, thereby reducing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator plate or metal support plate serves dual purposes as both separator and spacer, eliminating the need for additional spacer material. This reduces total material usage and weight while maintaining proper fluid volume definition through the integrated raised members.
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
The simplified structure reduces material costs and weight, enhances manufacturing efficiency, and maintains the electrochemical performance per square centimeter of electrochemically active layer, facilitating the production of cost-effective fuel cell stacks.
Implementation Method 1
The metal support plate has a porous region surrounded by a non-porous region with the active layers being deposited upon the porous region so that gases may pass through the pores from one side of the metal support plate to the opposite side
Implementation Method 2
Some fuel cell units can produce electricity by using an electrochemical conversion process that oxidises fuel to produce electricity
Implementation Method 3
A solid oxide fuel cell that produces electricity is based upon a solid oxide electrolyte that conducts negative oxygen ions from a cathode to an anode located on opposite sides of the electrolyte
Implementation Method 4
The metal components of the fuel cell stack repeat layer are in electrical contact with one another, with electron flow between them being primarily via the fuse/weld path
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A metal-supported, SOEC or SOFC fuel cell unit (10) comprising a separator plate (12) and metal support plate (14) with chemistry layers (50) overlie one another to form a repeat unit with a fluid volume (20) therebetween, the plates each having at least one fluid port (22), wherein the ports are aligned and communicate with the fluid volume (20), and at least one of the plates has pressed raised members (120) that extend away from the other plate and that are arranged around the or each fluid port (22). Raised members (120) are arranged to define a space in which is accommodated a gasket (34) within the raised members (120) and/or arranged to define a perimeter within which is accommodated a gasket (34).