Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Central Support Element Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel cell systems face challenges in temperature regulation, particularly for high-temperature fuel cells like SOFCs and MCFCs, which require effective thermal management to prevent damage to components and enhance efficiency, and current collection devices are susceptible to heat damage due to their metal composition.

Innovation Solution

A solid oxide fuel cell system with a central support element in fluid communication with the fuel cells, featuring dual longitudinal channels for fuel and oxidant delivery, a reducing chamber for current collectors, and an after burner for exhaust combustion, which creates a temperature differential for heat transfer and regulates temperatures within the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If high-temperature operation is used to increase fuel-to-electricity efficiency, then efficiency is improved, but thermal damage to components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel-to-electricity efficiencyVSAvoidthermal damage to components

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the thermal management function into separate components: the central support element with its dual channels handles fuel heating and oxidant cooling independently, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific thermal role while working together to manage overall system temperature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central support element acts as an intermediary thermal management device between the fuel source and the fuel cell stack. It preheats fuel and cools oxidant through its dual-channel structure, mediating temperature control to protect components from thermal damage while maintaining efficient operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If exothermic reforming is used to provide heat, then energy availability is improved, but excessive heat releases that can destroy catalysts and components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy availabilityVSAvoidexcessive heat

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful excessive heat from exothermic reforming into a beneficial resource by using it to preheat the fuel stream through the central support element's inner channel, transforming waste heat into useful thermal energy that improves overall system efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted or harmful. The central support element captures heat from exothermic reforming and oxidant cooling, and uses it to preheat fuel, thereby recovering thermal energy and improving energy utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Power

If current collectors are made of metal for electrical conductivity, then electrical performance is improved, but susceptibility to heat damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidresistance to heat damage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The central support element with its dual-channel structure serves as an intermediary thermal management system that protects the current collector. By preheating fuel and cooling oxidant in controlled channels, it mediates thermal exposure to the current collector, allowing metal collectors to maintain their electrical conductivity while reducing their susceptibility to heat damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Temperature

If prolonged startup time occurs during thermal regulation, then temperature control is improved, but system productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidstartup time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The central support element performs preliminary thermal preparation of the fuel and oxidant streams before they reach the fuel cell stack. By preheating fuel and cooling oxidant in advance through its dual channels, it reduces the thermal adjustment time required during startup, thereby improving system productivity without compromising temperature control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design improves thermal regulation and current collection efficiency by facilitating heat transfer and protecting current collectors from excessive heat, reducing start-up time, and increasing overall fuel cell system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The inner longitudinal element can define an inner longitudinal channel which is adapted to deliver a fuel to the anode of each of the one or more fuel cells. The outer longitudinal element can define an outer longitudinal channel which is adapted to deliver an oxidant to the cathode of each of the one or more fuel cells.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

This temperature differential can facilitate heat transfer and help regulate the local temperature in the central support element as well as the overall temperature of the entire fuel cell system.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature differential driven heat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8309270B2Solid oxide fuel cell systems with improved gas channeling and heat exchange

Publication Date: 2012.11.13 WATT FUEL CELL CORP

AI summary

The present teachings relate to solid oxide fuel cell systems featuring a novel design that provides improved thermal management of the system. The solid oxide fuel cell systems disclosed include gas channeling features that regulate the temperature of local areas of the system and protect thermal-sensitive current collection elements.