Short Stack Kit for the Open Flange™ Set-up Using Soft Mica Seals

Abstract

Results from Fiaxell’s SOFC/SOEC short stack kit designed for the Open Flanges Set-Up, using ASC (2R-Cell) cells with Crofer 22H interconnects are presented. The stack incorporates compressible mica seals that demonstrated high fuel utilization (till 82%). In parallel, a mechanical strength simulation was carried out. The latter showed that the design of the housing could be sufficient for stack testing at our operating temperature (750-800 °C). Secondly several Cell-Connex™ interconnect patterns that were made by a chemical etching technique and were mounted in a transparent housing which allowed flow patterns to be visualized and recorded with a high speed camera. A square flow-field pattern was used in this study. A short stack kit was tested with a single cell and current-voltage characteristics were measured at high and low fuel utilization.