Solid Oxide Cell Thermal Fluid Plate for High Power Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid oxide cell (SOC) technology faces challenges in achieving high power densities due to heat dissipation issues, leading to thermal gradients and stress, which affect the performance and lifetime of SOC stacks.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control system for SOC cells, which includes a repetitious unit structure with separate flow field plates for fuel and oxidant, and a temperature control fluid structure located between these plates. This system uses liquid or gaseous temperature control fluids, such as salt solutions, supercritical fluids, or phase-changing materials, to optimize heat transfer and control operation temperatures above 350°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high power density is pursued in solid oxide cells, then energy production capacity increases, but thermal gradients and stress increase leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature control fluid structure is introduced as an intermediary between the fuel flow field plate structure and the oxidant flow field plate structure. This mediator actively manages heat transfer, absorbing excess thermal energy and distributing it uniformly, thereby preventing thermal gradients and stress accumulation while allowing high power density operation
2Reliability
If heat dissipation is improved to maintain temperature uniformity, then reliability increases, but power density decreases due to reduced thermal energy availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by introducing a temperature control fluid with specific thermal properties. By adjusting the fluid's flow rate, temperature, and thermal capacity, the system achieves optimal heat management that maintains temperature uniformity without compromising the thermal energy available for electrochemical reactions, thus preserving power density
3Temperature
If a temperature control fluid structure is added between flow field plates, then thermal management improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control fluid structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal management system, a structural support element, and a flow distribution mechanism. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent minimizes additional complexity while achieving effective temperature control
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 proposed solution enables increased energy production capacity, improved efficiency, and extended lifetime of solid oxide cells by effectively managing thermal gradients and maximizing power density, thereby reducing the overall cost of electricity and chemical production.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature control fluid structure (112) in the flow field plate (121) for a temperature control fluid... in a liquid form the temperature control fluid comprises at least one of the liquid comprising salt solutions, supercritical fluids and phase changing materials
Implementation Method 2
The temperature control system comprises a fuel flow field plate structure (107) for fuel, an oxidant flow field plate structure (109) for oxidant... is flown temperature control fluid in a temperature control fluid structure
Implementation Method 3
in a liquid form the temperature control fluid comprises at least one of the liquid comprising salt solutions, supercritical fluids and phase changing materials
Implementation Method 4
phase changing materials... to optimize heat transfer and control operation temperatures
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the invention is a temperature control system for solid oxide cells, a cell comprising a fuel side (100), an oxygen rich side (102), and an electrolyte element (104) between the fuel side and the oxygen rich side and the system comprising a repetitious unit structure for the solid oxide cells. The temperature control system comprises a fuel flow field plate structure (107) for fuel, an oxidant flow field plate structure (109) for oxidant, electric contacting structures (110) for the fuel and the oxidant and a temperature control fluid structure (112) in a flow field plate (121) for a temperature control fluid. The temperature control fluid structure (112) is located in the flow field plate (121) separately between the fuel flow field plate structure (107) and the oxidant flow field plate structure (109). The temperature control system comprises sealing structures (114) to prevent leakages in the structures (104, 107, 109, 110, 112) and means (116) for controlling operation temperature in the solid oxide cells.