Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Interconnector Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid oxide fuel cell stacks face challenges in achieving high power generation output while suppressing the formation of counter cells, due to issues with gas sealing, electrical conductivity, and adhesion between components, leading to inefficiencies and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an insulating member between the air electrode and the solid electrolyte, and covering the entire surface of the interconnector with the air electrode, to prevent oxide ion leakage and enhance electrical conductivity, thereby improving the power generation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxide ion insulating property of ceramic interconnector is improved to prevent oxide ion leakage, then fuel cell efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnector is divided into two functional layers: a first interconnector layer providing gas sealing properties and a second interconnector layer providing electrical conductivity. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between thickness reduction for conductivity and maintaining gas sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnector uses a composite structure with two different ceramic materials having distinct properties. The first material (e.g., SLT-based) provides gas sealing with higher denseness, while the second material (e.g., LaCrO3-based) provides electrical conductivity. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of both gas sealing and electrical conductivity requirements.
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 configuration effectively suppresses the formation of counter cells and enhances the electrical conductivity of the interconnector, resulting in improved power generation output and efficiency of the solid oxide fuel cell stack.
Implementation Method 1
oxide ions are disadvantageously leaked from the air electrode side to the fuel electrode side of the interconnector
Implementation Method 2
solid oxide fuel cells are fuel cells that operate as cells including a solid oxide (ceramic) as a solid electrolyte, a fuel electrode as a negative electrode, and an air electrode as a positive electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a support, a plurality of power generation elements provided on a surface of the support, the plurality of power generation elements connected in series, each including at least a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte, and an air electrode stacked in that order, and an interconnector that electrically connects an air electrode in one of adjacent power generation elements to a fuel electrode in the other power generation element. A solid electrolyte in adjacent one power generation element is provided between a fuel electrode in the adjacent one power generation element and the fuel electrode in the adjacent other power generation element, and an insulating member is provided at a position that is on the solid electrolyte in the adjacent one power generation element and between the air electrode in the adjacent one power generation element and the solid electrolyte therein.