Solid oxide fuel cell interconnect design optimization considering the thermal stresses.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Mechanical failures in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) components can lead to cracks, gas leakage, and reduced operational lifespan.
• Understanding and mitigating thermal stresses is crucial for enhancing the durability and reliability of SOFCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive 3D model for analyzing thermal stresses in anode-supported planar SOFCs.
• To establish a new criterion for interconnect design by evaluating thermal stress performance across different designs.
• To optimize interconnect geometry for improved mechanical integrity and cell lifetime.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of momentum, mass, heat, ion, and electron transport phenomena within a steady-state mechanical model.
• Simulation of heat generation from methane steam reforming and water-gas shift reactions.
• Analysis of the relationship between interconnect structures, material properties, and resulting thermal stresses.

Main Results:

• A wider interconnect on the anode side significantly reduces thermal stress.
• Coflow interconnect designs exhibit lower thermal stress compared to counterflow designs, correlating with temperature distribution.
• The study demonstrates a clear link between interconnect geometry and thermal stress distribution within the SOFC.

Conclusions:

• Optimized interconnect design can effectively minimize thermal stresses in anode-supported planar SOFCs.
• The findings provide a basis for designing more robust and longer-lasting SOFC components.
• This research offers a novel approach to interconnect design focused on thermal stress management.