Manifold, bus support and coupling arrangement for solid oxide fuel cells

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:866930

Parry, Gareth W ^[1]

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1. East Windsor, CT

Individual, tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are assembled into bundles called a module within a housing, with a plurality of modules arranged end-to-end in a linear, stacked configuration called a string. A common set of piping comprised of a suitable high temperture resistant material (1) provides fuel and air to each module housing, (2) serves as electrically conducting buses, and (3) provides structural support for a string of SOFC modules. The piping thus forms a manfold for directing fuel and air to each module in a string and makes electrical contact with the module's anode and cathode to conduct the DC power generated by the SOFC. The piping also provides structureal support for each individual module and maintains each string of modules as a structurally integral unit for ensuring high strength in a large 3-dimensional array of SOFC modules. Ceramic collars are used to connect fuel and air inlet piping to each of the electrodes in an SOFC module and provide (1) electrical insulation for the current carrying bus bars and gas manifolds, (2) damping for the fuel and air inlet piping, and (3) proper spacing between the fuel and air inlet piping to prevent contact between these tubes and possible damage to the SOFC.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4824742
• OSTI ID: 866930
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

manifold
bus
support
coupling
arrangement
solid
oxide
fuel
cells
individual
tubular
sofcs
assembled
bundles
called
module
housing
plurality
modules
arranged
end-to-end
linear
stacked
configuration
string
common
set
piping
comprised
suitable
temperture
resistant
material
provides
air
serves
electrically
conducting
buses
structural
sofc
forms
manfold
directing
makes
electrical
contact
anode
cathode
conduct
dc
power
generated
structureal
maintains
structurally
integral
unit
ensuring
strength
3-dimensional
array
ceramic
collars
connect
inlet
electrodes
provide
insulation
current
carrying
bars
gas
manifolds
damping
proper
spacing
prevent
tubes
damage
stacked configuration
power generated
gas manifolds
module housing
resistant material
fuel cell
structural support
current carrying
dc power
electrical contact
fuel cells
oxide fuel
solid oxide
electrically conducting
air inlet
electrical insulation
prevent contact
provides structural
integral unit
modules arranged
gas manifold
bus bar
dimensional array
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