Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Without Window Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Planar type solid oxide fuel cells face issues with weight and volume due to the presence of a window frame, which also complicates the manufacturing process and increases costs, and require high operating temperatures due to thick electrolyte layers.
Innovation Solution
A planar type solid oxide fuel cell design that omits the window frame by forming through holes in the fuel electrode for gas flow, with an insulating coating to prevent gas penetration, and a thin electrolyte layer for reduced sheet resistance, using materials like YSZ and GDC for improved efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a window frame is configured in a planar type solid oxide fuel cell, then the structural integrity and sealing are improved, but the weight and volume increase, and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the window frame component from the fuel cell structure. By forming through-holes directly in the fuel electrode, the design eliminates the need for a separate window frame, thereby reducing weight and volume while maintaining structural integrity through the integrated electrode design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the fuel electrode and the structural support into a single integrated component. The fuel electrode with through-holes combines the electrochemical function with the structural support function previously performed by separate components (electrode + window frame), reducing overall complexity and weight.
2Strength
If a window frame is configured in a planar type solid oxide fuel cell, then the structural integrity and sealing are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the window frame component from the fuel cell structure. By forming through-holes directly in the fuel electrode, the design eliminates the need for a separate window frame, thereby reducing weight and volume while maintaining structural integrity through the integrated electrode design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the fuel electrode and the structural support into a single integrated component. The fuel electrode with through-holes combines the electrochemical function with the structural support function previously performed by separate components (electrode + window frame), reducing overall complexity and weight.
3Strength
If a thick electrolyte layer is used, then the mechanical strength and stability are improved, but the sheet resistance increases and operating temperature must be high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thickness parameter of the electrolyte layer from thick to thin. By using a thin electrolyte layer combined with a dense structure and appropriate material composition (such as YSZ or GDC), the design achieves low sheet resistance while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through the overall cell structure design.
4Weight of stationary object
If through holes are formed in the fuel electrode, then the weight and volume are reduced, but gas penetration into the cell may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an insulating coating layer as an intermediary substance within the through-holes of the fuel electrode. This coating prevents direct gas penetration into the cell interior while still allowing the through-holes to serve their function of reducing weight and volume, and potentially facilitating gas flow paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A planar type solid oxide fuel cell, and more particularly, a thin and light planar type solid oxide fuel cell omits a window frame and has a simplified a unit cell having a through hole through which fuel and air flow in/out a fuel electrode.