SOEC Stack Coupling System for High-Temperature Gas Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high temperature solid oxide electrolysis and fuel cell stacks face challenges in achieving efficient gas sealing and electrical insulation, particularly at high temperatures, which leads to inefficiencies and damage due to gas recombination and hot spots, and current coupling solutions are not suitable for 'Plug & Play' operations.

Innovation Solution

A clamping system with mica seals and a high temperature sealed coupling system that includes a collector with collecting ducts and seals, allowing for detachable and reusable gas feed and outlet connections, ensuring electrical insulation and robust sealing up to 900°C, and avoiding the need for welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional coupling solutions are used for high temperature stacks, then gas sealing and electrical insulation can be achieved, but the system becomes complex and welding is required which reduces ease of operation and reusability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas sealing and electrical insulationVSAvoidease of assembly and reconfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is segmented into separate functional components: sealing elements and electrical insulation elements are distinct and can be independently installed or replaced. This allows the sealing function to be maintained without requiring complex welded assemblies, improving ease of operation while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary coupling system is introduced between the high temperature stack and external connections. This intermediary contains both sealing and insulation functions in a modular design that can be attached without welding, using mechanical fastening methods that allow easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining gas tight sealing and electrical insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If detachable coupling systems are used for ease of operation, then reusability improves, but gas sealing at high temperatures becomes unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereusability and detachabilityVSAvoidgas sealing at high temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing elements are designed to maintain their sealing properties across the high temperature operating range. Materials and geometries are selected such that thermal expansion and material property changes at high temperature actually enhance the sealing contact pressure, ensuring reliable gas sealing even in detachable configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling system uses composite material construction combining materials with complementary properties: one material provides high temperature sealing stability while another provides mechanical flexibility for detachable connection. This composite approach allows the sealing function to remain reliable at high temperature while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If welding is used to ensure robust sealing, then gas sealing reliability improves, but the system becomes non-reusable and operational flexibility is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas sealing robustnessVSAvoidoperational flexibility and reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system transitions from a static welded connection to a dynamic mechanical fastening system that can be adjusted, assembled, and disassembled. This dynamic connection method achieves welding-level sealing reliability through precision-machined mating surfaces and elastic sealing elements, while providing the operational flexibility and reusability that welded connections cannot offer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables efficient gas sealing and electrical insulation, preventing gas recombination and hot spots, while allowing for easy stack reconfiguration and reuse, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The coupling system includes a first mica seal and a second mica seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

ensuring electrical insulation and robust sealing up to 900°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical sealing:

Data Source

PatentUS11664516B2Assembly comprising a SOEC/SOFC-type solid oxide stack, a clamping system, and a heat exchange system

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

AI summary

An assembly includes an SOEC/SOFC-type solid oxide stack, a clamping system for clamping the stack, including at least two clamping rods that can be used to assemble upper and lower clamping plates, and a coupling system for high-temperature fluid-tight coupling of the stack to a heating system for supplying and discharging gas. The coupling system includes a collector with collection ducts for supplying and discharging gas, each provided with a collecting port positioned facing a corresponding communication port of at least one of the upper and lower clamping plates, and seals each placed between a collecting port and a corresponding communication port.