SOEC/SOFC Interconnector Relief Layout for Conductivity and Gas Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
High temperature Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cells (SOEC) and Fuel Cells (SOFC) face challenges in achieving optimal electrical conductivity and gas distribution due to pressure losses and mechanical constraints, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage from hot spots and recombination of gases.
Innovation Solution
An optimized interconnector design with varying geometric features, such as different heights and contact widths of relief elements, is introduced to enhance electrical conductivity and reduce pressure losses, featuring a metal alloy substrate with ceramic or metal coating layers to ensure effective gas circulation and mechanical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform relief elements are used on interconnector, then manufacturing is simplified, but electrical conductivity and gas distribution become suboptimal due to pressure losses
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnector features relief elements with varying geometric characteristics (different heights, contact widths, and spacing) distributed across its surface. This local variation optimizes electrical contact at specific locations while maintaining gas circulation channels in other areas, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief elements are designed with asymmetric geometric properties where first relief elements have different dimensions than second relief elements. This asymmetry allows tailored optimization of contact pressure and electrical conductivity in different regions of the interconnector, improving overall system reliability without requiring completely complex manufacturing processes.
2Reliability
If relief elements with large contact width are used, then electrical conductivity improves, but gas circulation is restricted due to reduced channel space
Solution Approach 1:
Different relief elements are strategically designed with varying contact widths based on local requirements. Areas requiring high electrical conductivity feature wider relief elements, while regions prioritizing gas circulation maintain narrower elements, thus optimizing both electrical performance and fluid flow without compromising either function.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnector surface is segmented into multiple relief elements with differentiated geometries rather than using a single uniform design. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each relief element's dimensions to balance electrical contact needs against gas circulation requirements, reducing overall pressure losses while maintaining conductivity.
3Reliability
If relief elements with large height are used, then electrical contact pressure improves, but mechanical stress concentration increases leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The height of relief elements is varied locally across the interconnector surface. First relief elements have different heights than second relief elements, allowing optimization of contact pressure at critical electrical interfaces while avoiding excessive stress concentration that could lead to hot spots or structural damage in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The differentiated relief element design anticipates and prevents potential damage by distributing mechanical stress more evenly across the interconnector. By using varying heights rather than uniformly tall elements, the design cushions against stress concentration before it can cause hot spots or recombination damage, proactively mitigating harmful effects.
Data Source
AI summary
An interconnector for a stack of solid oxide cells of the SOEC/SOFC type, intended to be arranged between two adjacent electrochemical cells, which includes a flat face whereon at least one first group of identical first elements in relief and a second group of identical second elements in relief are formed, the first elements in relief having different geometric features with respect to the second elements in relief, the height of each first element in relief being different from the height of each second element in relief, the contact width of each first element in relief being different from the contact width of each second element in relief.