Method for manufacturing bidirectional proton conductive fuel cell using microwave-based sintering and bidirectional proton conductive fuel cell manufactured thereby
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bidirectional proton conductive fuel cells (PCECs) require a long-term high-temperature sintering process of 1500° C. or more, which leads to performance degradation and inefficient production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving microwave-based sintering is employed, utilizing a two-stage heat treatment process with a microwave sintering furnace and a pellet that improves sintering degree, reducing the sintering temperature by 500° C. and time from 300 minutes to 5 minutes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional high-temperature sintering process (1500°C or more) is used, then sintering degree is improved, but sintering time increases and performance degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by switching from conventional thermal conduction heating to microwave heating, which fundamentally changes the heating mechanism and temperature distribution. This allows achieving the required sintering degree at lower temperatures (900-1100°C) and shorter times (5-30 minutes) while preventing performance degradation through controlled rapid heating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by placing a microwave-absorbing pellet in contact with the green body before sintering. The pellet absorbs microwave energy first and transfers heat to the green body, enabling rapid and uniform heating that achieves complete sintering in minutes without the need for prolonged high-temperature exposure
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional high-temperature sintering process (1500°C or more) is used, then sintering degree is improved, but performance degradation factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the heating parameter from slow thermal conduction to rapid microwave heating, which achieves complete sintering at lower temperatures (900-1100°C) and shorter durations. This prevents performance degradation factors such as grain growth, phase transformation, and material decomposition that occur during prolonged high-temperature exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the skipping principle by rapidly heating the green body through microwave irradiation and pellet-mediated heat transfer, completing the sintering process in 5-30 minutes. This rushes through the critical sintering stage before performance degradation can occur, eliminating the need for extended high-temperature holding periods
3Productivity
If sintering temperature is reduced, then productivity is improved, but sintering degree decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the heating method from conventional thermal conduction to microwave heating with pellet-mediated heat transfer. This parameter change enables rapid heating rate and uniform temperature distribution, achieving complete sintering at lower temperatures (900-1100°C) in just 5-30 minutes, thus maintaining high sintering degree while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microwave-absorbing pellet as an intermediary between the microwave source and the green body. The pellet absorbs microwave energy and transfers it efficiently to the green body through direct contact, enabling rapid and uniform heating that achieves complete sintering at reduced temperatures and shorter times, simultaneously improving productivity and sintering quality
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 method enables rapid production of PCECs with improved performance by minimizing cationic segregation and reducing thermal stress, resulting in efficient energy conversion.
Implementation Method 1
the second heat treatment is performed by placing a pellet that improves the sintering degree of the laminated structure in a microwave sintering furnace and using the microwave sintering furnace
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, by using a pellet capable of microwave absorption and heat dissipation, the temperature is increased to 900° C. or higher in a short period of time, and a vapor-phase sintering agent rapidly diffused from the pellet can accelerate the sintering of a PCEC. Specifically, the sintering temperature is reduced by 500° C. or higher compared to the existing process, and the time is also shortened from 300 minutes to 5 minutes, thereby resolving the cationic segregation phenomenon that occurs in the existing sintering process, and thus improving the performance of a PCEC.