Three dimensional (3D) computer aided X-ray tomography (CT) has proven to be an extremely useful tool in developing our own as well as in examining commercially available solid oxide fuel cells. The results of 3D-CT measurements became very important for understanding the functionality of our first generation and improving the development of our second fuel cell generation. Also geometrical measurements, especially the roundness and the straightness of the tube, can be evaluated, both critical parameters when the stack is heated and mechanical stress has to be avoided. By using this technique the structure of the first generation cells proved to be of insufficient quality. Problems like the variation in thickness of the electrolyte tube as well as the homogeneity in thickness of the electrodes deposited can easily be detected by this nondestructive technique. Microscopic investigations of this problem of course provide equal results, but only after cutting the samples in many slices and many single measurements of different areas of the fuel cell. Using cells with inhomogeneous thickness of course results in drastic variations of the current densities along a single cell. Electrolyte layers that are too thick will result in power loss due to the increased resistance in the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte. If the electrolyte of an electrolyte supported cell is too thin, this can cause mechanical instability. Problems can also occur with the leak tightness of the fuel cell tube. Gas diffusion through the electrode layer can become a problem when the thickness of the electrode layer is too high. On the other hand, if the layers are too thin, the result can be a discontinuous layer, leading to a high electrical series resistance of the electrode. Besides determining the thickness variations also the porosity of the electrolyte needs careful attention. Larger cavities or shrink holes form insulating islands for the ion-stream and are therefore limiting the ionic conductivity. They are also diminishing the mechanical stability and provide problems for depositing a closed electrode film in electrode supported cells.
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February 2007
This article was originally published in
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology
Technical Papers
Characterization of Fuel Cells and Fuel Cell Systems Using Three-Dimensional X-Ray Tomography
Stefan Griesser,
Stefan Griesser
Department of Eco:Energy Engineering,
e-mail: s.griesser@fh-wels.at
Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences
, Stelzhamerstrasse 23, A-4600 Wels, Austria
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G. Buchinger,
G. Buchinger
Department of Eco:Energy Engineering,
Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences
, Stelzhamerstrasse 23, A-4600 Wels, Austria
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T. Raab,
T. Raab
Department of Eco:Energy Engineering,
Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences
, Stelzhamerstrasse 23, A-4600 Wels, Austria
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D. P. Claassen,
D. P. Claassen
alpps fuel cell systems
, Exerzierplatzstrasse 4, A-8051 Graz, Austria
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Dieter Meissner
Dieter Meissner
Department of Eco:Energy Engineering,
Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences
, Stelzhamerstrasse 23, A-4600 Wels, Austria
Search for other works by this author on:
Stefan Griesser
Department of Eco:Energy Engineering,
Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences
, Stelzhamerstrasse 23, A-4600 Wels, Austriae-mail: s.griesser@fh-wels.at
G. Buchinger
Department of Eco:Energy Engineering,
Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences
, Stelzhamerstrasse 23, A-4600 Wels, Austria
T. Raab
Department of Eco:Energy Engineering,
Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences
, Stelzhamerstrasse 23, A-4600 Wels, Austria
D. P. Claassen
alpps fuel cell systems
, Exerzierplatzstrasse 4, A-8051 Graz, Austria
Dieter Meissner
Department of Eco:Energy Engineering,
Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences
, Stelzhamerstrasse 23, A-4600 Wels, AustriaJ. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. Feb 2007, 4(1): 84-87 (4 pages)
Published Online: March 31, 2006
Article history
Received:
December 1, 2005
Revised:
March 31, 2006
Citation
Griesser, S., Buchinger, G., Raab, T., Claassen, D. P., and Meissner, D. (March 31, 2006). "Characterization of Fuel Cells and Fuel Cell Systems Using Three-Dimensional X-Ray Tomography." ASME. J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. February 2007; 4(1): 84–87. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2393309
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