Stacked Sheet Anode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) face challenges with reduced strength and hydrogen diffusion efficiency due to conventional gas diffusion layers, which can lead to clogged gas diffusion paths and electric power loss, especially at high current ranges, and the powder compressing method often results in cracks, shortening the cell's lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method for an SOFC anode involving the stacking of sheets with holes to form gas diffusion paths and reinforcement/current collecting members, where the holes are communicated and filled with materials like Ni, Ce-based oxides, and YSZ-based oxides to enhance strength and current collection efficiency, using processes like sintering and Warm Isostatic Pressing to improve adhesive forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a gas diffusion layer is formed by artificially adding additives like polymer or carbon to increase hydrogen diffusion performance, then the diffusion performance of hydrogen is improved, but the strength of the SOFC is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anode is divided into multiple thin sheets stacked together, with gas diffusion paths formed by stacking sheets with holes. This segmentation allows hydrogen to diffuse efficiently through the stacked structure while maintaining the strength of individual sheets, resolving the contradiction between diffusion performance and structural strength.
2Strength
If the thickness of the anode is increased to solve the strength reduction problem, then the strength is improved, but gas diffusion is deteriorated and fuel cell performance is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing thickness in one dimension, the solution stacks multiple thin sheets in the vertical direction, creating a three-dimensional structure. This dimensional approach maintains short diffusion paths within each sheet while achieving required strength through the stacked configuration, preventing gas diffusion deterioration.
3Ease of manufacture
If the powder compressing method is used for fabrication, then manufacturing is simplified, but cracks are easily generated and lifetime is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
Holes are formed in the sheets before stacking, and reinforcement members are inserted in advance. This preliminary action prevents cracks during the compression process by providing structural support, thereby extending cell lifetime while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anode uses composite structure combining sheets with holes and reinforcement members (such as metal foils or ceramic rods). This composite approach prevents crack generation during compression while keeping the manufacturing process simple, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
4Productivity
If conventional gas diffusion layers are used, then gas diffusion paths are provided, but the paths become clogged by carbon deposition and current collecting performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gas diffusion function is extracted from a separate layer and integrated into the anode structure itself through stacked sheets with holes. This eliminates the interface between gas diffusion layer and current collector, preventing carbon deposition clogging and maintaining current collecting performance while providing gas diffusion paths.
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 method increases hydrogen diffusion performance, uniform density, and extends the SOFC's lifetime while minimizing current collecting resistance and improving strength, allowing for efficient power generation even at low fuel partial pressures.
Implementation Method 1
an anode is formed by stacking sheets having a plurality of holes, and the holes are used as gas diffusion paths through which fuel gas can be facilely diffused
Implementation Method 2
using processes like sintering and Warm Isostatic Pressing to improve adhesive forces
Implementation Method 3
using processes like sintering and Warm Isostatic Pressing to improve adhesive forces
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of an anode for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), an anode, and a SOFC, in which an anode is formed by stacking sheets having a plurality of holes, and the holes are used as gas diffusion paths through which fuel gas can be facilely diffused, and some of the holes are filled with a reinforcement member or a current collecting member, thereby improving a cell strength and increasing a current collecting performance and thus an efficiency of the SOFC.