Internal current collection and thermofluidynamic enhancement in a microtubular SOFC

• Published in: International journal of heat and mass transfer 2021-07, Vol.173, p.121255, Article 121255
• Main Authors: Hodjati-Pugh, O., Dhir, A., Steinberger-Wilckens, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contact resistance; Current collection; Electric contacts; Heat exchangers; interconnection; internal current collector; pseudo turbulence; thermofluidynamics; Tubular SOFC
• ISSN: 0017-9310; 1879-2189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2021.121255

•Adaption of flow turbuliser heat exchanger elements into tubular fuel cells•Use of flow turbuliser as fuel cell anode current collector•Thermofluidynamic enhancement in tubular fuel cells•Thermal imaging of fuel cells•Coatings for reduced contact resistance A low-cost, durable and simple internal current collector is presented for microtubular SOFCs (µT-SOFC). The internal design does not require removal of external cell layers, and subsequent loss of active area required to expose the interior electrode for contacting. The brush-like, high surface area current collector device is adapted from heat exchanger turbuliser technology produced by CALGAVIN Ltd. The effectiveness of the hiTRAN® turbuliser as a µT-SOFC current collector is explored and its thermofluidynamic effects on the cell described, as well as coating of the hiTRAN® design to reduce electrical contact resistance. The final design achieved a current density at 0.7 V of 0.38 A.cm−2 and peak power density of 0.27 W.cm−2, 4.3 times higher than the original design and 3.3 times higher than the state-of-the-art with the same base materials.