Ceramic Baffle Design for SOFC Stack Compression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fuel cell systems with solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks face efficiency losses due to heat sinks created by bores or feed-throughs, which also require costly tie rods for compressive load maintenance.

Innovation Solution

Redesigning the baffles to apply compressive stress directly to the fuel cell stacks without bores or tie rods, using plate-shaped ceramic baffles with dovetail connections and spring compression assemblies to provide load and direct reactant flow, while eliminating the need for tie rods and bores, and utilizing ceramic matrix composites for enhanced strength and thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If bores or feed-throughs are used to transmit load through baffles, then compressive load can be maintained, but heat sinks are created that decrease system efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressive loadVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the bores or feed-throughs from the baffle structure entirely, extracting the harmful heat sink elements while preserving the load transmission function through an alternative mechanism (external compression device acting on the stack assembly)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an external compression device as an intermediary mechanism that applies compressive load to the stack assembly without requiring penetrations through the baffles, thereby mediating between the need for compression and the need to eliminate heat sinks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If tie rods are used to maintain compressive load, then load transmission is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressive loadVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the tie rods and associated bores from the system, extracting the complex internal load transmission mechanism and replacing it with a simpler external compression device that acts on the overall stack assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the load transmission function into the external compression device and base structure, combining multiple functions (compression application, load distribution, structural support) into integrated components rather than separate internal mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enhances system efficiency by eliminating heat sinks and reducing costs, while providing effective compressive stress and thermal management, improving the overall performance of the fuel cell system.

Implementation Method 1

a spring compression assembly configured to apply a load to the stack of electrochemical cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

utilizing ceramic matrix composites for enhanced strength and thermal management

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2483961B1Fuel cell stack compression devices and methods

Publication Date: 2017.12.06 BLOOM ENERGY CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A ceramic baffle is configured to place a load on a stack of electrochemical cells and direct a reactant feed flow stream to the stack.