SOFC Interconnector Layout to Prevent Separator Weld Gas Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding between a metal separator and a porous metal support layer in solid oxide fuel cells can lead to defects such as blowholes, which may cause gas mixing and reduce power generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A solid oxide fuel cell design that includes a separator between power generation cells, separated from the porous metal support layers, and an interconnector located between the separator and the porous metal support layers, with the interconnector welded to the support layers to enhance robustness and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If welding is used to join the metal separator and the porous metal support layer, then conductivity is improved, but welding defects may cause anode gas and cathode gas mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnector serves as a mediator that allows electrical connection through welding to the support layer while maintaining physical separation from the separator. The flow path between the interconnector and separator prevents gas mixing, thus achieving both improved conductivity and prevention of harmful gas mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the interconnector handles electrical connection and gas distribution, while the separator maintains gas separation. This segmentation allows welding to occur in the interconnector without directly affecting the separator's gas separation function, preventing anode and cathode gas mixing.
2Reliability
If the separator is made thick to ensure structural integrity and gas separation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and compactness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separation function is segmented from the structural support function. The thin separator focuses solely on gas separation, while the interconnector and support layer provide structural integrity. This allows the separator to be thinner without compromising overall reliability, improving compactness and reducing device complexity.
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 design improves power generation efficiency and robustness by preventing gas mixing due to welding defects and reducing the thickness of the separator to enhance compactness and thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
the interconnector is welded to the porous metal support layer
Implementation Method 2
welding generally has low electric resistance between the metal separator and the porous metal support layer
Implementation Method 3
a solid electrolyte layer, an anode electrode disposed on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer, a cathode electrode disposed on the other surface of the solid electrolyte layer
Implementation Method 4
a porous metal support layer disposed on at least one of an anode electrode side or a cathode electrode side
Data Source
AI summary
A solid oxide fuel cell includes: a plurality of laminated power generation cells each including a solid electrolyte layer, an anode electrode disposed on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer, a cathode electrode disposed on the other surface of the solid electrolyte layer, and a porous metal support layer disposed on both an anode electrode side and a cathode electrode side and supporting the electrodes; a separator provided between the power generation cells and separated from the porous metal support layer; and an interconnector located between the separator and the porous metal support layer. The interconnector includes an anode-side interconnector welded to the separator, and a cathode-side interconnector joined to the separator by a joining method other than welding.