SOEC/SOFC Stack Clamping Plates With Replaceable Heating Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis and fuel cell stacks face challenges in integrating heating elements that are costly, non-replaceable, and result in significant heat loss and thermal management issues, particularly at temperatures between 600 and 1000°C.
Innovation Solution
A clamping system with removable and interchangeable heating plates integrated into the clamping plates, featuring housings for the heating elements, allowing for improved thermal efficiency and ease of replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heating elements are integrated into the clamping plates, then thermal efficiency is improved, but the heating elements become non-replaceable and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented from the clamping plate structure, mounted on a support that is detachably connected to the clamping plate. This allows the heating element to be replaced independently without replacing the entire clamping plate assembly, resolving the contradiction between thermal efficiency and replaceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is nested within the clamping plate assembly through a support structure that fits into the clamping plate. This nested configuration maintains compact thermal coupling for efficiency while allowing the heating element to be extracted and replaced through the open structure of the support.
2Loss of energy
If heating elements are integrated into the clamping plates, then thermal efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into modular components: the clamping plate, the support structure, and the heating element. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing of individual components while maintaining thermal efficiency through their assembled configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure serves multiple functions: it holds the heating element, provides thermal coupling to the clamping plate, and enables replaceability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the overall device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If heating elements are integrated into the clamping plates, then thermal efficiency is improved, but maintenance time increases due to inability to quickly replace malfunctioning elements
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented as a separate replaceable component mounted on a support that can be quickly detached from the clamping plate. This allows malfunctioning heating elements to be replaced rapidly without disassembling the entire clamping plate, reducing maintenance time while preserving thermal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates dynamic (detachable) connections that allow the heating element to be quickly removed and replaced. This dynamic capability enables rapid maintenance intervention while the heating element remains thermally coupled during operation for efficiency.
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 minimizes heat loss, maintains thermal efficiency, and enables quick replacement of malfunctioning heating elements, ensuring consistent operation and reduced production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heating plate, removable and interchangeable, inserted into said housing
Data Source
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AI summary
The main subject of the invention is an assembly (80) comprising an SOEC/SOFC-type solid oxide cell stack and a system for clamping the stack. This assembly (80) also has at least one, removable and interchangeable, hot plate (95) inserted into a housing (90) in at least one of the upper (45) and lower (46) clamping plates, the housing (90) being formed in the thickness (ep) of the at least one of the upper (45) and lower (46) clamping plates, and comprising first and second opposite ends, at least one of which leads onto the side face (FL) of the at least one of the upper (45) and lower (46) clamping plates, being situated on the inside and at a distance from the upper (FS) and lower (FI) main faces, which are substantially parallel to one another.