Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Module Partitioning for Thermal Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Solid oxide fuel cell modules face challenges in maintaining stable temperature variation and size reduction for efficient power generation.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cell module design incorporating multiple power generation units with fuel cells, oxidant gas preheaters, and a partition member made of a heat insulator, which separates the combustion chamber to minimize heat exchange between fuel cells and oxidant gas preheaters, allowing for efficient power generation while reducing module size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the solid oxide fuel cell module uses a compact design with multiple power generation units arranged adjacently, then the module size is reduced, but temperature variation increases causing unstable power generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule sizeVSAvoidpower generation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion chamber is divided into multiple independent regions by partition members, with each region containing a fuel cell and its associated oxidant gas preheater. This segmentation isolates the thermal environments of adjacent power generation units, preventing temperature interference while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Heat insulating materials are applied locally at specific positions where temperature interference occurs between adjacent power generation units. The partition members are strategically placed to provide thermal isolation exactly where needed, rather than insulating the entire combustion chamber, thus reducing temperature variation in critical areas while maintaining module compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If the oxidant gas preheater is placed adjacent to the fuel cell to reduce module size, then space is saved, but heat interference causes temperature variation in the fuel cell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule sizeVSAvoidfuel cell temperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Partition members made of heat insulating materials are introduced as intermediary elements between the oxidant gas preheater and the fuel cell. These partition members block direct heat transfer from the preheater to the fuel cell, allowing the preheater to be positioned adjacent to the fuel cell for compactness while preventing harmful thermal interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If partition members are added to isolate thermal regions, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation stabilityVSAvoidcombustion chamber structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The combustion chamber is divided into multiple independent regions by partition members, with each region containing a fuel cell and its associated oxidant gas preheater. This segmentation isolates the thermal environments of adjacent power generation units, preventing temperature interference while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Heat insulating materials are applied locally at specific positions where temperature interference occurs between adjacent power generation units. The partition members are strategically placed to provide thermal isolation exactly where needed, rather than insulating the entire combustion chamber, thus reducing temperature variation in critical areas while maintaining module compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves stable power generation and size reduction by controlling temperature variation and utilizing heat insulation to maintain optimal operating conditions, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the risk of unstable power output.

Implementation Method 1

The oxidant gas preheater preheats the oxidant gas supplied to the fuel cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

The partition member is made of a heat insulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9350030B2Fuel cell module

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 TOKYO GAS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a solid oxide fuel cell module that is small in size and is capable of stably generating power. A plurality of power generation units and are located such that a first fuel cell and an oxidant gas preheater connected to a second fuel cell adjacent to the first fuel cell are adjacent to each other. A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a partition member. The partition member partitions a combustion chamber into a region including the first fuel cell and a region including the second fuel cell as well as into the region including the first fuel cell and a region including the oxidant gas preheater connected to the second fuel cell.