| The solid oxide fuel cell
of Hexis consists of the cell (the ceramic unit of electrolyte
and electrodes) and the metallic collector of the electrical
power (MIC = Metallic Interconnect). They are both constructed
planar and are provided with a round aperture in the
middle. About 60 stacked cells and power collectors form
the fuel cell stack where the inner aperture is used
as a channel for the fuel supply. The Metallic Interconnect
has several functions. Its main purpose is to ensure
the electrical contact between the individual segments
of the stack. Additionally, it distributes the gases
on the surface of the electrode, seals the gas flow against
the air flow and enables the afterburning zone at the
stack perimeter fluidically. Fuel pours radially out
of the channel at the anode end of the cell to the outside.
Simultaneously preheated air flows from the outside into
the interior of the fuel cell stack through four channels
on the power collector and is redirected in order to
flow radially over the cathode end of the cell to the
outside. Fuel which is not converted on the anode is
afterburned at the edge of the fuel cell stack. |
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Detail of the fuel cell stack |
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