Metal-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell stacks, cross leakage occurs due to cracks in the sealer or electrolyte caused by thermal stress, which can propagate and affect the electrolyte, leading to performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell design featuring a metal supporting plate with a porous and dense portion, glass sealing members, and a coating layer with a predetermined gap between the cell structure and the coating layer, preventing crack propagation from the sealing members to the electrolyte, and ensuring gas sealing without additional sealing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrolyte extends to the end of the metal support to prevent cross leakage, then cross leakage prevention is improved, but crack propagation risk increases when thermal stress causes cracks in the sealer or electrolyte
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the metal support into porous and dense portions, creating distinct functional zones. The dense portion acts as a separate sealing region that prevents crack propagation from the porous region to the electrolyte, while maintaining gas sealing functionality. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by isolating the crack-prone porous sealing area from the electrolyte.
Solution Approach 2:
The dense portion of the metal support serves as an intermediary barrier between the porous sealing region and the electrolyte. When cracks occur in the porous portion or sealer, the dense portion blocks crack propagation paths, preventing damage from reaching the electrolyte while still maintaining the gas sealing function.
2Reliability
If additional sealing members are added to prevent crack propagation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal support performs multiple functions: it provides structural support, creates gas passages through porous regions, seals gases through dense regions, and prevents crack propagation. By making the metal support multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for additional dedicated sealing members, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sealing function with the metal support structure itself rather than using separate sealing members. The dense portion of the metal support is integrated into the support structure, merging the structural and sealing functions into a single component, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel cell includes a metal supporting plate, a cell structure, a separator, a glass sealing member and a coating layer. The cell structure includes an electrolyte layer disposed on the metal supporting plate. The separator is disposed on the cell structure. The glass sealing member is disposed between the metal supporting plate and the separator at an outer side of the cell structure. The coating layer is disposed between the metal supporting plate and the glass sealing member and is contact with the metal supporting plate and the glass sealing member. The cell structure and the coating layer are provided with a gap predetermined between the cell structure and the coating layer.