Solid Oxide Electrochemical Device Integrated Clamping Plate Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical devices for high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) and fuel cell (SOFC) operations face challenges in efficiently overheating gases, requiring complex assemblies and precise temperature control, leading to increased size, complexity, and potential for hot spots and gas recombination.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat exchange channel within the clamping plates of the electrochemical device, allowing gases to be overheated through radiation and thermal conduction, simplifying the system, improving compactness, and maintaining rigidity, without the need for additional parts or adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a furnace or electric heater is used to overheat gases before injection into the solid oxide stack, then the gases can be heated to the required temperature, but the device size increases and the assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the overheating function directly into the clamping plate structure by incorporating heat exchange channels within the plate itself. This merges the structural support function of the clamping plate with the thermal processing function, eliminating the need for separate external heating devices and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping plate is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical clamping support for the electrochemical cells and also acts as a heat exchange device with integrated channels to overheat the gases. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system
2Temperature
If a loop tube or electric heater is used to overheat gases, then the required temperature can be achieved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange channels are nested within the thickness of the clamping plate structure itself. The channels are embedded in the plate's volume, utilizing the existing structural space rather than adding external heating components, thereby minimizing the overall device volume while still providing effective gas overheating
3Temperature
If external heating devices are used to overheat gases, then temperature control is possible, but precise temperature control becomes more difficult and hot spots may appear
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange channels are strategically positioned and configured within the clamping plate to provide localized heating zones that match the specific thermal requirements of different regions of the electrochemical cells. This localized approach to heat distribution prevents hot spots and ensures uniform temperature control across the gas flow path
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 simplifies the overheating process, enhances temperature control, reduces device size, and maintains mechanical integrity, while effectively overheating gases for improved device performance and preventing hot spots and gas recombination.
Implementation Method 1
the heat produced by the stack allows, by radiation and/or by thermal conduction, heating of the gas flowing in said channel
Implementation Method 2
the heat produced by the stack allows, by radiation and/or by thermal conduction, heating of the gas flowing in said channel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6A
AI summary
The invention concerns an electrochemical device provided with a plurality of elementary solid oxide electrochemical cells clamped between two clamping plates. The device according to the present invention comprises, in particular, a gas circulation duct allowing the gases to overheat by radiative effect and/or thermal conduction, in particular a radiative effect and/or a thermal conduction relating to the heat produced by the elementary electrochemical cells, and disposed in the volume of one or other of the two clamping plates.