High performance ceramic fuel cell interconnect with integrated flowpaths and method for making same
AssigneeSFCo-EFS Holdings, LLC
InventorsThomas L. Cable, Kurt E. Kneidel, Eric A. Barringer, Thomas C. Yuan
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Abstract
A method, apparatus and assembly related to solid oxide fuel cell interconnects is disclosed. In its broadest embodiment, the invention contemplates a multi-layered ceramic interconnect having integrated flow fields and electrical connections. The method of making this interconnect includes judicious selection of materials, formation of appropriate apertures for the flow fields and electrical connectors, and the joining of the layers through a firing and/or sealing process.
Claims88
A solid oxide fuel cell assembly comprising:
- first and second fuel cell layers each having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte layer separating the anode and the cathode;
- a separator plate having a defined thickness, a top face and a bottom face;
- a first flow field element located between the top face of the separator plate and the first fuel cell layer, the first flow field element having a defined thickness and integrated means for delivering a reactant gas through the first flow field element and to the first fuel cell layer;
- a second flow field element located between the bottom face of the separator plate and the second fuel cell layer, the second flow field element having a defined thickness and integrated means for delivering a reactant gas through the second flow field element and to the second fuel cell layer;
- and
- means for conducting an electrical current from the first fuel cell layer through the first flow field element, the separator plate and the second flow field element, the means for conducting being integrated into a portion of each of:
- the separator plate, the first flow field element and the second flow field element.
A layered fuel cell interconnect apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a first set of flat plates, each plate having a pattern of apertures and a first means for conducting an electrical current through the first set of plates, the first set of the plates being arranged in a stack so that the apertures of each plate form a flowpath for a first reactant gas;
- a second set of flat plates, each plate having a pattern of apertures and a second means for conducting an electrical current through the second set of plates, the second set of plates being arranged in a stack so that the apertures of each plate form a flowpath for a second reactant gas;
- and
- at least one separator plate having a series of filled vias electrically connected to the first means for conducting an electrical current on one side of the separator plate and to the second means for conducting an electrical current on an opposite side of the separator plate, the separator plate being positioned between the first set of plates and the second set of plates so as to segregate the first reactant gas from the second reactant gas.
A method for constructing an interconnect apparatus for use in a fuel cell stack, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of flat members capable of forming a separate reactant gas flow field;
- providing an impermeable separator plate;
- forming a pattern of apertures on each flat member;
- providing a material capable of conducting an electrical current to the separator plate and to at least a portion of the flat members;
- stacking the flat members on both sides of the separator plate so as to surround the separator plate;
- aligning the flat members on each side of the separator plate so as to insure a viable electrical connection exists throughout the flat members and the separator plate and so as to insure the pattern of apertures in the stacked members forms a flow field for reactant gases on each side of the separator plate;
- and
- sealing the stacked and aligned flat members and separator plate to insure that reactant gases are contained within the flow field on each side of the separator plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.