SOEC/SOFC Stack Coupling With C-Seal for 860°C Gastight Reconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling solutions for high-temperature solid-oxide electrolysis (SOEC) and fuel cell (SOFC) packs are not suitable for high-temperature applications, lack gastightness at 860°C, and do not allow for easy dismantling and reconnection, making them unsuitable for a "Plug & Play" (PnP) system.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system that includes a clamping base with a threaded external surface, a support base with internal pipes for gas passage, and a C-shaped flexible metal seal, all integrated into the clamping plates of the SOEC/SOFC pack, enabling gastight connections at high temperatures and facilitating easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing coupling solutions are used for SOEC/SOFC packs, then assembly is simple, but gastightness at high temperature (860°C) is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate functional components: a clamping base for mechanical attachment, a support base with internal pipes for gas passage, and a C-shaped flexible metal seal for gastightness. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The C-shaped flexible metal seal acts as an intermediary element between the clamping base and support base, providing the gastight connection at high temperature without requiring complex welding or threading operations. The seal accommodates thermal expansion and misalignment while maintaining sealing integrity.
2Ease of operation
If existing coupling solutions are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but dismantling and reconnection is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system employs a dynamic clamping mechanism with threaded fasteners that allow for easy adjustment and dismantling. The flexible metal seal maintains dynamic sealing capability during thermal cycling and assembly/disassembly operations, ensuring reliability is not compromised by the ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design with standardized threads and flexible seal allows the coupling components to be easily discarded, recovered, and reused. The seal can be replaced if degraded, while the base structures are recovered for reuse, facilitating maintenance and reconfiguration operations.
3Reliability
If a gastight seal is implemented at high temperature, then sealing performance is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The C-shaped flexible metal seal utilizes the flexibility of a thin-walled metal structure to achieve gastightness at high temperature. The flexible material accommodates thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances without requiring complex multi-layer sealing structures or active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system combines different materials with complementary properties: the clamping base and support base use high-temperature resistant metals or ceramics, while the flexible seal uses a ductile metal alloy that maintains sealing capability at 860°C. This composite approach achieves high-temperature sealing without excessive complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling system supports Plug & Play concept, then operational flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible metal seal is designed to accommodate thermal expansion differences between the clamping base and support base during high-temperature operation. The flexibility allows for self-adjustment to alignment variations, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining gastightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system employs standardized threads and universal mounting interfaces that allow the same component design to be used across different SOEC/SOFC pack configurations. This universality enables Plug & Play operation while the flexible seal compensates for variations in manufacturing precision across different production batches.
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 coupling system provides gastight connections at temperatures up to 860°C, allows for easy dismantling and reconnection, and supports the "Plug & Play" concept, enhancing the operational flexibility and efficiency of high-temperature SOEC/SOFC systems.
Implementation Method 1
a seal, having a C shape, positioned against a first end, opposite to the second end, of the support base
Implementation Method 2
a clamping base, comprising a thread on its external surface at an end mounted in said at least one of the top and bottom clamping plates
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a solid-oxide pack of the SOEC/SOFC type and a system for clamping the pack. The assembly furthermore includes a coupling system gastight at high temperature, including a clamping base with a first through internal pipe to enable a tube to pass, a support base located in the pipe and having a second through internal pipe, and a seal, having a C shape, positioned against a first end of the support base. One of the clamping plates includes a through pipe for gas to pass having a support surface for the seal and a threaded countersink for receiving a thread of the clamping base.